TBH I really could care less if they copy anyone. Obviously the informed consumers on this site are going to take it as a sign of weakness but for the majority of video game consumers the announcement won't seem like a weakness. Copying a business rival is part of the business whether we like it or not. One could argue the consoles stole online gaming from the PC, or on console specific online, we stole it from the dreamcast. We could also argue that the PSN and Wiiware stores were copied from XBL or online websites like Amazon, Ebay...etc The arguments will just go around in circles and they are pointless.
To some it would seem like a sign of weakness but all MS is trying to do is provide a gaming experience that can apply to as many types of gamers as possible. Isn't that what every console wants?
Consoles Owned: Sega Genesis, NES, PS2 (RIP) N64, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii
"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is rule."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
