I've been a service technician since before the internet began. I've serviced computers using tubes, core memories and switches for loading basic boot systems. That 16 bit machine has been pried open more times than you can imagine. I can keep it operating until I'm being serviced in my final days. 
As far as the cloud is concerned I've worked with that from the days AT&T introduced cloud services. To me, the way Autodesk licensing works for the "hobby user" is a shame compared to what used to be done. 
The small time user isn't of any value even though those people give free advertising through their community that is being overlooked by software corporations. Only the power users are important.
Anyway, no matter how you cut it, to keep my copy running, I must have cloud services running to get my annual license and spend $500+ bucks as well. There's no indication I can make a one time purchase and ignore the annual licensing of this CAD system.

To me AutoCad has always been the benchmark for CAD; something other CAD companies aspire to be. I wouldn't care to see it disappear for those who can afford it. It's just not fiscally viable for users like me anymore. I only need to squeeze out about 5 more 16 bit years, but thanks for your thoughtful reply to my comments. I wish AutoCad well and may they follow in the footsteps of the great software companies like AshtonTate, Borland and the other pioneers.