&quot;previously they would have to artificially hold some of the bigger changes back to justify the next big yearly version number increase&quot;<p>I get that. Perhaps they should or could have just sold the current latest version as is for a bit less and then whenever the next big release comes out offer a prorated upgrade amount to those that feel the new features are worth the additional upgrade amount. Their model, withholding features so they could package them into a huge update, was hurting themselves and their customers.<p>What&#x27;s to say they don&#x27;t start pulling IntelliJ with other&#x2F;more products? That is, to stop or slow down development&#x2F;improvements and now milk a cash cow?<p>Clarification: They could have sold a working perpetual license without the 1 year of upgrades. When they have an upgrade they have an prorated upgrade path&#x2F;cost based on when you purchased your current license&#x2F;product.