smallstonefan
Sorry azslow3 but those examples aren't the same.
 
In the case of hardware, it doesn't matter if you use it for one day or you use it for 10 years - the profit is built into the initial purchase. The company invests no money in improving the hardware you purchased once you receive it. In addition, they ARE improving newer products in an attempt to entice you to buy more hardware.

That is what company want/plan, but not what customers assume. I have mentioned a good example for such expectation - VS700 & Co.
 

As for games, they are deliberately built from day one on a pay to play model and it's all centered around micro-transactions. These are purchases so small as to be "no-brainers" individually, but the volume at which they sell them adds up to real money. 

And what all these "music software sales" are about? You just need people to COME to you regularly (and with lifetime updates they will), it is than up to the marketing team to sell everything you have so they think it was "no-brainer".
 

I can tell you that Cakewalk used to count on me for an upgrade every version - what is that, something like $99 per year? I now paid my $99 fee for lifetime and they will probably see ZERO or very little money from me ever again. Why? I have Komplete Ultimate, most UAD stuff, Arturia V Collection, BFD 3, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

And so 5 years of your payment are worse one new user which join the train now. And I guess most of such users had no intention to invest anything. Craig has mentioned several times, while "old customers" was delivering stable money, that was not significant part of collected money in total. They have statistics, we do not.
Beginners do not have UAD, BFD3 and Komplete Ultimate. They want something cheap, they are ready to pay for that and there are many of them. 
 

Look, it is what it is. Enjoy what Cakewalk delivers and believe in the company (I do!) Just don't try to justify to all of us that this is a normal and healthy business practice with zero risk to each side. Cause it ain't. :)

I do not try to justify anything, I have just mentioned that there is at least one model which caused questions like "What? They give good software for free? How that can work???". And we know how it works now. I think it 5 years we will understand how it works with Sonar.
 
But you know better which business is healthy and which is not normal ;)

Not sure about your last statement there - yeah I know a few things about business since I run a good size company.
 
However Azslow - I use your control surface integration and I'm grateful for it and I respect you.  I'm not here to make enemies or cause distress. i respectfully disagree with you and I'll leave it at that.

bapu
Predictions for competitors?
 
And what I mean is not subscription based DAWs. We're talking apples to apples as in licensed for (your lifetime).
 
I will say Studio One.
 
Reaper and Mixbus are priced a bit too low to facilitate it, IMO.

I agree. The one thing that kind of rendered impotent, Image Line's pricing pressure on other DAWs, was the weakness of the audio side of the application and the fact that it is PC only. A Mac version is coming soon, but they still have to add some bread and butter features to the audio side, if they intend to tip the scales on the competition.
 
The game changer is Sonar. About to go Mac and is strong in the audio and midi department. Surely this will apply enough pressure over time, that some will likely have to follow. I too think Studio One is in a position where it could do similarly and thrive.
 
Something tells me if Steinberg were to attempt to follow, that their idea of core updates would be to stop development where the product went to lifetime updates and other than keeping up with general OS compatibility, literally everything else they did would come at a cost. Put new graphics on the stock eq? It will cost you. Add a few variables to slicing options? You'll have to get out the wallet. Haha!

Jeff Evans
I think you are wrong bapu.  Not just from that recent locked thread but overall we are not keen on the subscription model or lifetime updates either. That has been made pretty clear to Presonus.  I think and hope everything just stays on the current path.  We are all really happy with the current situation.  It is way simpler.

Jeff, there weren't many unique posters in that thread. Why would you assume they represent the total user base? As was stated in that thread, when a feature gets implemented that no forumites remember asking for. The answer is likely the 98% of users who don't bother with a forum account, requested it through surveys or contacting the company directly. To say that a few forum users agreeing means that no one wants something, seems a little misguided to me. I can't help but feel if Presonus put out the question, "Would you like us to offer lifetime updates pricing?" That you guys over there would be swimming in the same pool as us lot, in no time at all.
 
Also in that thread there seemed to be a prevailing assumption that Image Line make their money from everything but FL Studio. How do any of you know that? Don't get me wrong, I can see why people who are involved in small businesses with limited customer reach, would assume that. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if the opposite were true. And wouldn't that be the best pricing strategy of all? Make people think that you are practically giving your product away and they'll buy tier upgrades and synths just to support such a thoughtful company. Who aren't interested in profits. Pfffftttt! Totally forgetting that they are a business. And whilst that business might be prepared to accept that one of its divisions doesn't quite hit the same profit margins as the rest of the product lines. They would surely be pricing it so their predicted minimum customer numbers, pay for the development of that product and more.
 
Now one more question for you, what do you mean, "It is way simpler?" What could be simpler than lifetime updates? I know my DAW-life has become so complicated since hitting 'purchase' on that one, haha!

bapu
Predictions for competitors?
 
And what I mean is not subscription based DAWs. We're talking apples to apples as in licensed for (your lifetime).
 
I will say Studio One.
 
Reaper and Mixbus are priced a bit too low to facilitate it, IMO.

I would dare predict who will do what. And Bapu, that was just cruel eating all of those brownies. I could smell them you know.
 
Here are the key points to ponder. Lifetime updates are only for Platinum users. There is a limited window to do this, meaning the plan will change soon. Cakewalk isn't saying, " here come take all of our stuff for free forever". The updates are core updates. Makes sense to me. I don't see this as much different than a company that offers a buy one get one free or buy one and get a second for a 50% discount. Business is give and take. You occasionally offer deals to the customer base. On the surface this might look like a huge revenue loss, but it has the effect of solidifying the loyal and offering something good.The loyal continue to buy.

smallstonefan
Since you asked... I think lifetime updates are a business mistake and I don't see others jumping at the opportunity to follow.

Image Line has been doing it.  It's been voted as the most popular DAW and the amount of demos downloaded are enormous.  The same issue you brought up has been discussed many times in their forum.
 
BTW this Cakewalk offer is a limited time.  I've not heard what happens after Aug. 31.

kitekrazy1
BTW this Cakewalk offer is a limited time.  

Which was already stated in post #18 here and acknowledged in post #19 here

bapu
I did not feel it was out of hand, with exception that the house rules is no profanity even if it was written as **** and **** and ****.

Bapu, would you say "****," to the Pope?...

Haha, what a lame excuse to lock a thread! People are writing self-censored curse words and that's why we're locking it. (Pfffft!) Oh and also if anyone makes a new thread on this topic, there'll be consequences!

Could they be any more transparent?

"Give 'em a razor, sell 'em the blades" has been a successful model for a very long time.