By: Anne Elizabeth Clark, Account Coordinator
Sit down before you read this, because it is big, big news for those involved in creative fields.
Adobe Systems, Inc., creator of programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator, announced earlier this week that it will cease to update its popular Creative Suite, which is most recently in its 6th version, as it has done in the past. Previously, Adobe would have an annual update of the Suite, with different packages available depending on how many programs the buyer wanted. The entire CS6 package, containing all 16 programs, costs approximately $2,600, while the package containing the six most used programs costs $1,300.
Now, only a year after its inception, the Creative Cloud, or CC, will be the only way to receive software updates. This will give users access to all 16 programs for a monthly fee, which is based on time commitment: $50 a month for a year, or $75 a month with no commitment. It also will offer discounted rates to people who have earlier versions of the Creative Suite, as well as the option to rent singular programs for just $10 a month.
Several factors encouraged this switch, including the increasing amount of piracy of the Adobe products. With this payment system, the illegal sharing of the programs would be impossible: no credit card, no Creative Cloud. It will also enable Adobe to give its customers program updates when it has completed them instead of waiting around until the next edition of the Creative Suite drops. Adobe also will benefit from a steadier revenue stream throughout the year, as compared to the sharp increase they would experience right after the newest CS dropped.
The number of people who like the new way of distributing the company’s software far outweighs the critics, according to Scott Morris, senior director of product marketing for the new system.
“Obviously we would not be making a decision this big if the percentage of people in that category [people who favor Creative Cloud] was so big it was the wrong thing for us to do,” said Morris.
Naysayers complain that this new model will cause their costs to skyrocket, especially those who wait a few years before buying new updates. There is also concern that this subscription-only model will produce a captive audience who will have to pay regardless of updates, lessening Adobe’s incentive to develop new versions of the software. Some are worried that Adobe will increase subscription prices in the coming years.
Unfortunately for its critics, Creative Cloud is here to stay, according to Adobe. CS6 still will be available for purchase, but for those who need the cutting edge technology, it’s time to get used to what very well might become the future of online software purchasing.