Actually, that makes sense.
I don't think MS will ever (as much as they'd like to) make us use their store - but "steam-stream" is at a massive disadvantage if they need to submit to whatever MS asks for in license (and presume nVidia, google and anybody who isn't Sony - so Steam would end up with something pretty valuable)
They already did to some extent with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
I haven’t really bought any games recently because of it, and unlike the other premium pay monthly gaming services Xbox Game Pass actually brings on a lot of new games.
With Microsoft buying more and more studios and the fact that they pretty much releasing most of not of all their first party new games on the pass combined with a persistent library of a lot of older games it’s a game changer for me.
Basically with Game Pass Ultimate you can currently play games on your Xbox, PC and mobile device (via streaming) all for $15.
It’s by far the biggest mover Microsoft has and what I see giving them a huge edge this coming generation over Sony.
Microsoft also doesn’t care anymore about Xbox hardware exclusives they see Xbox as their cross platform gaming brand now.