This is a message of concern about Adobe's ongoing behaviour, from someone who owns Substance licenses through Steam. I was a former customer of Allegorithmic, before they became part of Adobe. When they did, the cost to continue maintenance for Substance Designer and Substance Painter became really expensive, upon the transition of all Substance applications to a subscription service.
This is why I turned to Steam; I could purchase a new license every 2-3 years, which enabled me access to newer features, whilst remaning at a price point I could afford. Since then, however, the option to purchase a new version of Substance Stager was pulled from Steam in Dec 2022 and, in Jan 2024, I understand Substance Sampler was removed as well, citing "poor sales". Epic Games has provided partcipants in their Titan Project free, six-month subscription licenses for Painter and Modeler, but given the latter's poor reception on Steam, I have a fear that this will be summariliy pulled in 2025...
I realise that Adobe is a business, and has its own bills to pay. However, the company must recognise that a large percentage of its users are not only large businesses, but also sole traders - many of us simply cannot afford to pay 500 Pounds/Euros/Dollars EVERY YEAR, just for the privilege of using your software. But we need to make use of it nevertheless.
I would request, therefore, that Adobe does not abandon its Substance for Steam licenses, as they are an important lifeline for many of us creatives in your community. I am further requesting that Adobe reinstate Stager and Sampler to the Steam Store, given major features for these are still being provided to subscription-holders, and Steam users should have the same rights.