Exactly, there is no need for nefarious intentions, when time constraint et mild incompetence suffice.
The OOXML format is likely a not very deeply thought out XML serialization of the in memory structure or of the old binary format, done under time pressure (there was legal pressure on Microsoft at the time).
> The OOXML format is likely a not very deeply thought out XML serialization of the in memory structure or of the old binary format
it somewhat looks like that, but that old binary format changed with every nth yearly major new version and IMHO it looks like not being far away from a slightly serialized dump of their internal app data structures ;)
but
putting aside that they initially managed to incorrectly implement their own standard OOXML and the mess that "accident" caused
they also did support import and even exports (with limited features) of the Open Document format before even fully supporting OOXML, and even use that as standard save option.... (when edition such a document)
like there really was no technical reason why they couldn't just have adopted the Open Document format, maybe at worst with some "custom" (but open and "standardized" (by MS itself) extensions to it)
MS at the time had all insensitive to comply as bad in faith as they could get away with
and what we saw at that time was looking like exactly that
sure hidden behind "accidents" and incompetence
but lets be honest if a company has all interest and insensitive to make something in bad faith and make it go bad absurdly and then exactly that happens then it's very naive to assume that it was actually accidentally most likely it wasn't
that doesn't mean any programmer sat down and intentional thought about how to make it extra complicated, there is no need for that and that would just be a liability, instead you do bad management decision, like (human) resource starve the team responsible (especially keep you best seniors away), give them all messed up deadlines, give them all messed up requirements you know can't work out. Mess up communication channels. Only give them bad tooling for the task. etc. etc. Most funny thing due to how messy software production often is the engines involved might not even notice ;), means no liability on that side.
and they should have gotten the corporate death penalty for it. I think it should still be done. the sheer amount of crap microsoft has purposely bestowed upon the world should lead to life in prison for many of its decision makers
The OOXML format is likely a not very deeply thought out XML serialization of the in memory structure or of the old binary format, done under time pressure (there was legal pressure on Microsoft at the time).