The Office 365 subscription model you talk of is called Software as a Service and every major software distrubutor does this.
It's literally the story of software revenue over the last decade and not distinct to Microsoft.
A question: I understand you distrust Microsoft based on their actions earlier in the previous decade.
But is there a platform holder you do trust? Why?
It's not a matter of who I trust and who I dont trust, it's a matter of who has given me most reasons to distrust them.
Personally, if you read my previous posts, you should agree, no one should be giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Now they aim to make the industry unsustainable. I imagine Sony and Ninty will do the same 5 years down the line if MS is successful today.
So think ahead, a world with three game subscriptions from the big 3.
And a new battles for 3rd party exclusives. Want Madden? Exclusive to Xbox subs model.
Want Fifa? You can only play it on PlayStation subs model.
Want Tekken? Want Final Fantasy? A Each will sell exclusiveity to a certain of the Big 3.
Pity gamers are always so focused in the "now", they dont see that 99% of the time, they're the cause of negative aspects in the industry, by blindly eating what they're given without seeing the endgame.
We're only after instant gratification as gamers, Too dumb to see the repercussions, or maybe too selfish to care, until the industry crashes again.