Breaking Steam's quasi-monopoly will in the end (most likely) be beneficial to customers.
Again, in the given scenario this approach is just an embodiment of "fabulously optimistic". There's nothing tangible pointing to this benefiting the customers and a lot to suggest that things will get worse. The only positive development is that other players remain cool so far, looking from a distance at epic sperging around offering free booze and hookers to thirsty devs and publishers. But if they decide to retaliate then we're in for a ride and I bet we won't like it.
Retaliate with what? Sales? Cheaper prices? Consumer wins.
Exclusivity? Irrelevant, it's just a fucking launcher, get over it. People will play using whatever launcher is required to play their game.
Game flatrates? Will probably become standard at some point anyway, just like it did with movies and music. Bad for developers, sure, but if music and movie industry can deal with it, so can the games industry.
Getting even closer to the autistic console playground is the last thing PC scene needs.
I've seen this argument made often, and as usual with tinfoil hatter arguments, it doesn't make sense.
Console exclusivity cannot be compared to PC store exclusivity, because no money is involved in having either/both PC stores. While buying consoles costs money, each - that's a real decision.
Having another store on your PC is just another program, taking a negligible amount of space. You're already registered at dozens of services with your credit card/PayPal/name/etc. As if one more is going to make a difference.
Will it?
There won't magically be multiple platforms each having a tiny slice, it will just be replaced with something else dominating the market.
Steam is relatively benign, careful with the monkey's paw.
I don't see much pointing at EGS not becoming relatively benign. Beyond the nonsensical "China bad!" and "Oh noez! It scans muh files!" stuff.
Keep in mind the store is out only for a very short time and I fully expect it become much better over time, eventually reaching parity with Steam's features. If not, well, then it won't get a big share anyway. Exclusivity will get them a good start, but they cannot keep it up if users leave disappointed in the store.
Their content moderation alone is a huge plus to me, at least it won't have something like Steam's "disovery queue" that is filled with 9/10 asset flip/hentai/crap.
And I don't see what is negative in having two big players vs. just one.
It will be good for developers, because those stores need to compete for them. And it will be good for players, because those stores need to compete for them as well.
Seriously, what worst case scenario are you so afraid of?