I get that the licensing model is in-flux, at least in regards to acquiring, essentially, an owned license.
Otoy has been a very non-douchy company when it comes to licensing. And with many of the big companies strong-arming customers in to essentially paying around 2x as much as previously for "lifetime usages" - whenever a company goes subscription only, it wigs me out because it's just so obviously NOT about the customer - and worse, they (not Otoy) lie with their marketing. The biggest lie is the idea that subscriptions will make them more productive. UM NO they will do exactly the opposite. if you're renting the right to use the software then that's it... you don't get the software to keep ever, so they don't have to do ANYTHING regardless if they do, that's just on their whim - there is no contractual obligation to develop new features, or add functionality, or even fix bugs.
That said... the negative emotions around Otoy's move toward subscription is, I believe/hope, largely due to the fact that the details of rights/privileges are NOT 100% works out. It says in the FAQ that they are at least open to the idea of ownership after 3 years of paid subscription. rent-to-own.
If that reverts to V4, that's not really a rent-to-own for "owners" like me. I already own my v4 license. so I could technically stop at any time and still own it. I purchased my 2 years subscription, and hope that when they figure it out and my 3 years paid comes up (and as I continue) that if I ever discontinue my subscription (e.g. retire) that I can continue to use that license as it was when my subscription ran out (as stated without support or online features - no problem)
I HOPE this is the way it is going forward. And really... for new licenses, I get the 3 years rent-to-own thing. But for those that have been paying for upgrades for years already... would be nice to be treated with a little bit more loyalty points than brand-new customers.
You gave me a free upgrade to V4... so what, I didn't ask for that. I asked to NOT move to subscription at all
What subscription companies don't seem to get is: 1) doubling the total-lifetime-cost of usage is brutal. 2) I'm more than happy to continue paying for software that I own. just knowing that it's mine if I stop makes me feel good about continuing to invest in software that, sometimes I go months without using.
I guess that's my biggest gripe - sometimes I use software for a few days at a time, and then go weeks without using it. rental for a tool you use day-in and day-out is much easier to justify in the budget. but stuff you use occasionally... well... it's not great.
Fingers crossed that Jules/Otoy continue to appreciate the folks that have supported them from the early days. (well and every one of their customers)
Octane is hands down my favorite renderer. It is not the only capable fast renderer out there - but it is my favorite. With all the added stuff in 2018.1 / 2019 OMG keep it up it's amazing!!!
PLEASE JUST MAKE A CLEAR SIMPLE COMPARISON CHART WITH ALL OPTIONS / CONSEQUENCES... in plain English, because the wording is confusing... and confusing leaves us thinking the worst.
I think the following are the main differences ??? but I'm not 100% sure
Studio license gets ONE DCC Plugin
Enterprise license gets ALL DCC Plugin
3-years renting enterprise? gets to own Octane, but the details of which version are still being discussed. (note: being able to keep V4 is a joke, and not even a benefit... so let's assume that the rational minds at OTOY won't actually keep that ridiculous limitation)