000

I know it's not of much use, but why don't we all change our profile picture to the "angry cat" emoji to show how we feel?

If I say "please don't sell out", will you listen?

If I say "please don't sell out", will you listen?

Canva is aiming to go public soon. And no, for me personally it is not about the price and the subscription, it's about the "soul" of the software that I use every day and the fact that it was (currently still is) to chat with the developers directly.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

If I say "please don't sell out", will you listen?

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

If I say "please don't sell out", will you listen?

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

I've seen this happening a few times before with other software companies and have already started looking for alternatives to Publisher. Not going to switch immediately, but based on experience I know it's time to start evaluating other software as V2 is probably going to be last I have bought.
Unfortunately, me switching software won't change anything: Everyone who currently works at Serif will have their retirement secured (congrats by the way, you deserve it!) and considering how many users Canva has, it doesn't make a difference to them if a few Affinity users jump ship.
I'm only sad to see another company I really used to like and trust (trust that has been completely obliterated with just three simple lines of marketing hogwash) "go to the money". Surely it makes perfect sense financially, but morally and ethically it is just. not. OK.
This is, however sad it may be, the world we live in and the world mankind has created for themselves. It's not about happy trusting users anymore, not about having a nice niche, but only about engagement, growth at all cost and a number at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
To be honest: If I had the choice to cater to175 million non-pro users and buy my private island in the carribean or to cater to 3 million pro users who's trust I have, I don't know what I would do. I get the decision, but don't like it. At all.
Gonna have a beer now, see what other software is available and probably delete my forum user account. Because ... well ... it's done. Serif has lost me as a "friend" and created a "faceless customer" that isn't loyal anymore but will vote with their wallet and go away as soon as things change too much in the wrong direction.

!00% agree.  A credible professional alternative to Adobe in this space seems to have committed suicide by linking with an amateur focused company.

Goodbye credibility....
"None of that changes today"..
Right.. it's not today we worry about.. it's about tomorrow and the days/months after that

This is unfortunate news.
I have nothing at all against Australia, but I was so proud of Serif, a British company whose products I've been using for about 20 years. Now this is another company that is sold off to foreign investors when it becomes good, probably to have all of the value wrung out of it.

Yeah, mr Ash didn’t give us a comfortable approach in his “goodbye” video…
For me it ain’t what I have spent on Affinity Suite since release, it’s the wasted time learning every app - years of learning.
Just as an example, I have bought both Appstore versions of Publisher/Designer/Photo and the same versions from Serif Labs site, just to support Serif…
It has passed just a few hours since this aweful announcement, but, I’m already on the hunt for new software to my soon empty Mac & iPad Pro…

Couldn't agree more. 

It seems like everyone posting here assumes that regardless of the pricing model, the programs will not change in the future. There's much, much more at stake than the price.

The positive: this longer video explains more than the version on Instagram/Threads.
The negative: But it still doesn't really explain why the future will be bright and exciting for Users. I assume it's bright and exciting for Affinity Staff because of the quantity of shiny new coins they're now looking at. So, I'm not going to lie, I'm worried. I'd be more worried if I wasn't already transitioning to Figma due to the myriad of outstanding problems and bugs that have remained unresolved for years. The body language, spoken language used or not used, and the moments where there is loss of eye contact in this video screams to highlight the bits that are true versus...not so true.
Not a great day for Affinity Users.

Well, I won't be dropping Affinity now. I do wish you folks at Serif all the best and I hope you will be able to continue to develop your software in the same direction you have been all these years. Your product is good-- very good. I know of nothing else that has the capability of the Affinity suite at the same level of accessibility. I am, like almost everyone else here, not hopeful for the future as far as this accessibility goes. When Affinity goes subscription, I will not go with it. I could not even if I wanted to. This is a hard barrier, and not just for me.
My greater, more global concern is the steady erosion of good tools into the grand miasma of same-same Insta-friendly bland brandification of everything. What if we just don't want any of this stuff?
I use image editing tools in a creative capacity. I have absolutely zero interest in anything Canva, or anything like it, has to offer. I exercise this preference by not using Canva. It's pretty easy, and I have everything I need with Affinity Photo and Designer. If I'm forced into the eternal christmas bliss of AI generated personal branding monetisations solutions, I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go to get out. I do hope there will be a way for those of us who are not on that train to stay where we are.