I could be way off base, but IMO, eventually all CAD and CAM software will go to a subscription model.
I believe that large companies (e.g. Direct-TV, Verizon, Adobe, etc) love the subscription model. It ends up producing a "known" (and somewhat locked-in) revenue stream, rather than one based on how the sales force and advertising teams are doing (not to mention the whims of the economy).
With the insane prices that some CAD / CAM vendors charge for annual "maintenance" fees (which usually means a new version of the software that the customer base ends up trouble-shooting for them), not to mention outright software costs that are in the stratosphere for some "brands"... I believe that the subscription model may be welcomed by a lot of shops.
As far as the particulars of Autodesk, you know far more about it than I do. The above is more in reference to the general thoughts about subscription-based cad and cam.
jmho
PM