How in the Hell would it ever be detrimental. What sort of argument could anyone make for that?
EDIT: Oh, now I read your post again and understand what you ask a little better. Yeah, maybe it could end up being detrimental to the game's sales, but never to the game. It's just the sad world we live in. :(
What I think hurts the industry the most in the end is the endless number of boring-looking, bland games. That's why there's the indie boom.