Well for starters it would hurt people as game pass customers because they would never have access to ABK games on game pass and this is the only way.
But those consumers are not limited to game pass only, they can buy the games on Xbox, PS, PC or Nintendo in some cases? How would it hurt to have options? It's like a movie isn't on Netflix but it's available to purchase on Amazon, VUDU, PSN, XBL, etc. yeah it would be nice if it was in the subscription they paid for but that is not a barrier imo.
Sony has already done as clear market leader like increase prices on almost everything.
Ehhh no way third party publishers didn't push it too. No way Xbox doesn't raise prices too when the time comes when their flood of next gen games from studios they bought come out. Take Two, AB and EA and ubi all love the $70. Not saying wasn't chomping at the bit but that didn't happen in a vacuum. Like Xbox one used game drm, big publishers wanted it and a console maker decided they wanted it too.
eventually be available on pretty much any device with a internet browser.
That is nice and ideal but I fail to see Xbox making that take off if google/nvidia/PlayStation/Netflix/Amazon can't get consumers to use other devices they aren't used to using for games. They're each different and we should have access from browsers, I just don't think that streaming only market will grow as much as others might think. In terms of streaming ONLY gamers who don't already own a PC or console. I certainly hope they are successful where others have failed.
More accessibility is a good thing but AB could just do that without being bought right? I mean yes I know they won't without Xbox coz Microsoft WANTS it to happen but if that's what the market wants AB would have to do it in some multi platform way (ex: put their games on PSN and Xb and any platform that streams)
Imo if two other trillion dollar companies can't make game streaming take off with all of its potential boons for accessibility, I'm not optimistic about Microsoft's chances but again, hope they do
Xbox consumers will have a stronger draw against being ignored by studios and publishers in their rollout schedules. Less chance of PlayStations advantage contracts like the final fantasy deals
I get it but this is a myth. Game companies will always make mind boggling exclusive deals like tomb raider 2015 or Octopath 2 not being on Xbox despite 1 being on game pass this year.
Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and even Xbox will continue to make deals and some platforms will continue to be ignored. If Xbox cared about that (and this is true for Sony and Nintendo too) they wouldn't be planning on making any of the massive multi platform IPs they purchased (elder scrolls) Xbox and Pc only.
But yes ideally everyone should get every game that is reasonable, tech permitting.