Yes, the technology is more available but the talent to do great things with that technology is just as elusive as it ever was, perhaps even more so given the sheer amount of high quality distraction available in modern life making procrastination more enjoyable than hard work. Yes, there are lots of diploma mills out there churning out eager 3d artists with degrees, but they also get a mountain of debt with that degree building in extra over head in their costs.
Anyway your idea is an interesting one, and like you I am a little surprised there aren’t more systems like this out there.
Out of curiosity what level of quality are you looking for at $20-$50 for a character model? does that include animations?