Daz' dominant position in the marketplace certainly has an influence, not unlike Microsoft. You're probably correct in saying that Daz could have pushed the market for DC to some extent, but I'm skeptical as to just how much. For one thing, they rely to some extent on independent creators who wouldn’t buy into the plan unless they saw a profit – chicken and egg again.

It takes more than marketing and even technical excellence though to drive the adoption of a new technology. Without widespread availability of broadband, no internet video on demand. As wdupre points out, performance is a factor, along with ease of use. Faster computers will take care of the former. As to ease of use, Daz DC may be limited, but those limits also mean, AFAIK, more of a point and click solution that may appeal to a broader audience. If that is the case, then it will succeed, not because of Daz dominance, but because it meets the needs of more typical users. Of course, it will be imperative that they get an affordable creation application in order to provide a sufficient supply of clothing.

The Poser market is in some ways like the Windows/Linux divide. The majority of people probably prefer what they perceive as an easier solution, despite any limitations it may impose. A smaller number are willing to take the time to learn a more challenging environment that they feel is superior. At some point, things that are less used like dynamic hair and clothing and animation will probably become more mainstream, but they will have to become more accessible and efficient. If Daz achieves that goal first then their market share will increase but I don’t think that they will be a significant threat to Poser – at least in the near term.
 

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