As someone who got their initial VCP (VCP5-DCV) back when they were "lifetime" certs and you simply opted, if you wanted to, to go for the newer versions after they came out, I was livid when I heard 5 or so years ago that they were changing this policy and expiring them after only 2-years. And if you didn't renew in that time, you had to start from scratch, including taking the overpriced official course. All in all, a pure money grab. But I digress...
Today I just saw this posted on Reddit, which was posted by VMware on their official YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1mTUXhqhSw&feature=youtu.be
While it doesn't look like this has gone into effect yet (the video says immediately, but the VMware MyLearn site doesn't reflect it as of now), it sounds like VMware got enough grief from the people they screwed over that they are doing a 180 and making the certs valid for life again, with renewing them "optional". Part of me wants to say thank you to them for this, but it should never have changed IMHO in the first place. Nonetheless, great news for all of us who either have or are working towards the VCP exam.