But (previously) virtually no one upgraded every year. The product was good enough years ago, and the features added were rarely more than minor improvements. People would buy the suite, and then use it for 3-5+ years.
With the new pricing, it's like you're forced to upgrade every 2-3 years.. so it's an accelerated upgrade cycle. And that's why everyone thinks of it as a price increase.
What some people want is pay once and be done with it. Ownership vs. Rental. When a consumer can afford to own but is forced into rental, then there's going to be resentment. If Adobe had offered a choice, then the number of complaints would be minuscule.
My work is a perfect example. I paid for InDesign years ago. Since I only use it for very occasional jobs, and semi-occasional hobby stuff, I don't need the constant upgrade cycle. Because I bought it, I don't have the sinking feeling of my wallet being opened every time I decide to start a new personal project.