The title of the article does not match the text. The writer seems to be saying that there might be a negative impact in the future for Xbox fans, but that's hardly the same as "doing more harm than good."
Regardless, it's an interesting situation. What are Microsoft's motives? They aren't doing it just to benefit gaming, I'm pretty sure, and it's not as if they make money with every game sold, the way they do with Xbox.
The main thing it tells us, I think, is that Windows is way, way, way more important than Xbox to Microsoft. First, they want to continue to make damn sure that gaming is dependent on Windows. Second, they want to find a means to slice into that PC gaming pie. There is a MASSIVE amount of money being made on PC. Anyone trying to tell you that only AAA, console-targeted games count is just fooling themselves. All money counts.
I think Microsoft has more plans for the future specific to making money with PC gaming. They probably won't even try to oust Steam with their own DRM scheme again but I bet they'll do more to turn "Xbox" into a gaming portal for console and PC both.
