I interpreted the "lifetime updates" as being Roland's way of saying Cakewalk was going out of business.
 
And then I got hurt.
 
At no time did I imagine that my "annual contribution" to keep Cakewalk alive was going to drastically increase from what I've always paid.  I'm pretty sure that if I had known that a BIG price increase was going down, I would have jumped on the "lifetime" deal.  I didn't see that "lifetime" deal as sustainable for Cakewalk any more than the new price structure turning folks away.  It all seems stupid.
 
And I guess I am stupid for not seeing that the stupid plan was less stupid than the alternative stupid plan. 
 
Stupid me.
 
Its like somebody in Corporate headquarters has said to themselves, "How can I totally screw up this company and make it fail?". 
 
Whatever. 
 
I'd like to hope that Cakewalk would look at how long I've been with them, and offer me the lifetime deal just because they love me.
 
 

GregGraves
 
I interpreted the "lifetime updates" as being Roland's way of saying Cakewalk was going out of business.
 

probably just a brain fart, but roland didn't own cakewalk when the lifetime updates were introduced, it was gibson. having said that i have read a number of times on different forums people thinking along the same lines as your interpretation in the quoted sentence, but as yet it hasn't happened.

I guess everything is owned by Exxon-Mobil anyway so .....

HARDDRlVER
I need to clarify a phrase I mentioned earlier. I said 'it is the lifetime updaters who have carried cakewalk'...what I meant by that was that it's been the people who have been paying for updates their whole lives...they are truly the 'lifetime' updaters. And it's not so much bragging rights for buying lifetime updates as it is...I almost feel guilty..walking in on the show, and learning what's taken place for so long. Especially hearing current upgrade pricing is half the full price of a new product. That means you're paying the full price every two years, unless I'm missing something

Most customers didn't upgrade every single year, those people are in the minority.  Also virtually every year they offered sizable discounts to upgrade.  
 

GregGraves
 
I'd like to hope that Cakewalk would look at how long I've been with them, and offer me the lifetime deal just because they love me.
 

They did, and you balked at it.
 
 However, you speak of the dramatic increase...they have also stated they expect to have periodic discounts, just like they always have.  I don't really expect all that much to change.  

Brian Walton
Most customers didn't upgrade every single year, those people are in the minority. 

i used to, sonars v1-v8.5 (note: versions, not years) only skipping v2 as i had so much to learn from 1xl, until the x series - i think a bunch of the forum regulars also upgraded every version, i expect a chunk of those users are now "lifetime" owners

pwalpwal

Brian Walton
Most customers didn't upgrade every single year, those people are in the minority. 

i used to, sonars v1-v8.5 (note: versions, not years) only skipping v2 as i had so much to learn from 1xl, until the x series - i think a bunch of the forum regulars also upgraded every version, i expect a chunk of those users are now "lifetime" owners

On average, it was $99 to stay up to date, year after year. I would do every other version occasionally, and it would cost $149. So now, without lifetime updates, you are looking at $199/year, with a likely discount to $149 sometime during the year. I don't see that as all that terrible. That's about on par with other major DAW's.
 
Dan

I think the GP will be more on board with the new paradigim as time goes on. Cakewalk aren't the only ones doing it.
 
The others come up with version 6 over version 5, make you want it so bad you have to have it. You get it and then they come out with version 7. Then they give you crossgrade and upgrade pricing.  When cakewalk did this I considered it a Christmas present to myself every year since it was usually around the beginning of the year. So instead it might be a year end sale on a 12 month extension and unlike some of the others, bug fixes and new ideas come up every month.  At the end of the day I don't see the two being much different from one another in terms of cash outlay.
 
It's all matter of how you choose to rationalize it.

dcumpian
So now, without lifetime updates, you are looking at $199/year, with a likely discount to $1490 sometime during the year.

 
That $1490 deal must include the bonus hover car, talent button and coffee mug Dan:)

tenfoot

dcumpian
So now, without lifetime updates, you are looking at $199/year, with a likely discount to $1490 sometime during the year.

 
That $1490 deal must include the bonus hover car, talent button and coffee mug Dan:)

Lol, fixed...oh these fat fingers...
 
Dan
 

This could all be part of a strategy to give Sonar a more "professional" image. When I bought 8.5 it was because I got so much for so little. It was the very best deal I could find. If I thought that I'd have to shell out $250 every year to stay current I'd never have bought it. However, there are a lot of people that think if something is affordable it can't be professional. Perhaps the Cake team has decided that they are the best and should start charging accordingly. At the end of the day it's all speculation.