I understand the need to bring in ongoing income to maintain servers. It makes sense to me to lock features behind the subscription to get people to actually pay to keep the lights on. I paid a single small amount 11 years ago and have definitely gotten my money’s worth, and I was willing to give the new version a try and maybe eventually pay the modest sub cost. Even getting the new sets later than paying users would be fine (if at all, I’m actually unclear on that? No new sets would make the app useless for free users so I assume it’s a delay and not “never” for free). but the one thing that immediately made me uninstall was locking card images behind the premium. Maybe I’m just too greedy given how much value I’ve gotten over the years for a small purchase, but this was the straw that broke my back.
Clarification: If you don't subscribe, it is delayed database updates. I'm sorry you feel this way. I want to be upfront about why it happened: maintaining the app means ongoing costs I didn't have years ago: database updates, server hosting, and keeping up with each new iOS release. I've been supporting this app for every new magic set for 16 years. Paid-up-front sales weren't covering those costs anymore, so the choice was subscription or shutting it down. The core app you originally bought still works, and the subscription only gates the features that have ongoing costs behind them. I appreciate you having supported the app early on, and I'm sorry this change has soured the experience.