Just how badly does Microsoft want the Xbox One to fail

[drone]

That's not unusual at all, in fact that's the way games have always worked. Every single game disc you have in your home right now is the exact same way. You own the actual disc itself (meaning the plastic and other components), but you have NEVER owned the game code on the disc or on your computer. That has always been a license, the above is just the same way the industry has always worked.

You have never owned the game code in the copyright sense, but you were free to do with your licence what you wished after purchase. First-sale doctrine.

Aren't the PS4 and XBOX one the same sub standard PC chip in a different shaped box?

Yup. Consoles have never been top of the line compared to PCs, and the next gen will be no exception. It's nice that they are consolodating the architectures, should make porting games easier, but the new specs aren't much better than what you will be able to get for a PC at nearly the same price. I've said before that the next gen would be weak, since the video specs are maxed at 1080p for the foreseeable future.

The biggest issue I have with the XBone is the kinect/microphone. Microsoft has a weak reputation when it comes to secure software, plus they apparently are more than willing to bend over for the government. Sticking a camera/microphone, connected to the internet 24/7, in a living room or bedroom is something you just shouldn't do. Smart TVs also fall into this category.