I assume that by ‘non-DAZ,’ your definition ‘mainstream’ means comparable to Vickie (the gold standard) in terms of popularity. There are probably several factors. To begin with, you have the established DAZ brand. Brand may be somewhat intangible but it is a huge deal. In another thread, I suggested that SM needed to create their own separate figure brand and build up some value in that brand – hint, it won’t happen overnight. I’m not sure that it is mandatory. A single figure from an independent vendor might achieve success, but the whole brand acceptance thing is a powerful factor IMO.

The very term mainstream implies popularity across a broad range of customers. To trot out the tired Windows vs. Linux vs. Mac analogy, appealing to a more narrow, perhaps more technically sophisticated audience won’t necessarily work. That is not to say that better bending, sophisticated shaders etc. aren’t selling points, only that by themselves, they don’t amount to mainstream success. IMO, there is a surprising myopia on the part of some – better doesn’t always, or perhaps even mostly equal popularity.

I have to disagree with aRtBee on the attractiveness factor. Yes there is always a call for ‘real’ people and ‘everyday’ clothes and if only the vendors would heed them, they’d take off like wildfire. Pretty and sexy sell in the mainstream. There are exceptions to be sure, but by and large, cute overwhelms common. Add all the plain morphs you want but the base better be pretty.

It had better be a she. Male figures have their own standard of popularity, but the truly popular figures are female and that is a simple, and IMO immutable fact.

I’m not sure how cost factors in. DAZ was successful at selling figures in the $40-$50 range, but again they had the brand, money-back guarantee etc. I don’t know if a new figure could come in at that price and succeed in today’s economy. Having a free or low cost base would certainly help.

Support is a no brainer. You need a good selection of accessories, morphs, clothing etc. from day one. You also need the perception that support will continue. Again. That was pretty much a given with DAZ. Without that kind of backing, there’s no guarantee that a figure will be around tomorrow. At the very least, a public commitment from some prominent vendors to support the figure would help. You need to somehow get free items available as well. Free items gives a perception of popularity and it enables people to get some use from the figure without necessarily having to buy products.

Promotion! Enthusiast’s enthusiasm in the Poser forum can’t equal advertising. Having the figure ship with Poser would be a good start but I don’t think there’s been a default Poser figure that was ‘mainstream’ since Posette. People may also tend to discount the included figures (for various reasons), but there’s probably a certain appeal to add-ons. There’s usually an aftermarket for just about anything.

There have been figures that hit a lot of these points but still were not that successful. There’s always an X factor that is pretty indefinable. I had to have The Girl when I first saw her. I never ended up using her very much at all, but she had that something ÷)

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken