Why reference the imperfect copies gen AI makes when you have databases of the real original artists and pictures and 3d scans of real things in the world out there to reference.
I think it is because one of these approaches requires skill and time, the other requires a ChatGPT subscription and George Jetson to push one idiotic button.
It makes people feel that they can contribute in fields where they were previously (and still are) useless.
You may want to check out the new “One Piece” game on the same engine. It has the same game play loop, interrupted by a surprisingly nicely animated story line.
There’s no industry pressure to be on Gamepass, yet.
Microsoft doesn’t willingly lose money on something unless they think they can make it into a market distorting rent extraction hellscape. something very profitable later.