The subscription model didn’t just change how we pay. It changed who owns what runs on your machine.

the era that ended quietly

I remember buying StarCraft. Box in hand, disc inside, mine. No account, no connection required, no recurring charge. I installed it, played it. It’s on the shelf behind me still. Survived decades, three house moves, and an industry that decided ownership was an inconvenient business model.

I bought it once. It asked nothing more of me.