First I thought the same thing: Why??? and How??? Then it struck me ... Of Course!! ... It's Brilliant!!
... in kind of an evil way!

They are trying to Consolize the PC market!! Since there are vastly larger number of PC's than consoles, it would be a sure road to infinite revenues, a sort of Holy Grail of Monopoly. It is truly a way to reign in and corrall the Wild and Free Spirited Indie Community. A sort of Domestication of all of the Worlds Creative Indie Minds. This is only the first step, mark my word. Eventually it will lead to that ALL game developers PC or not, onlinebased or not, will be led by the "pay here for your license" Gate owned and operated by no less than ... yes you are correct!! ... Bill Gates.

And How? Well, think about it. There are a number of software features that are uniquely found in game programs: realtime render engine, DirectX and D3D functionality, instant interactivity particularly with joystick & other controllers, etc.etc. It is probably already now quit simple to determine if a program is a game or not.

We shall all be in chains whether we want it or not, at least that's what it seems like. Tell me I'm wrong someone!
Please!

not so cheers
tindust