[rjzzleep]

Funny how this suddenly became prevalent, when there was actually a time when you could buy software that would last for decades without the need for a subscription.

The only reason this would need a subscription is to pay for the sim.

[mensetmanusman]

Back then software wasn’t capable of driving off with your car :)

[Terretta]

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM -> digital delivery

That shift enabled this.

[doublepg23]

That software wasn't running on servers 24/7.

[nehal3m]

I'd argue most modern software doesn't need to either but has hamfisted features that require it for the sole purpose of making you pay for a subscription.

Stuff like Adobe Creative Cloud has some cloud features that lock you into their ecosystem. Not taking them up on it and storing locally is still an option (for now anyway) but you can't choose not to pay for their cloud features if all you need is their editing software.