One of the year's most surprising turn of events was the partnership formed between Sony and Microsoft. In a "memorandum of understanding", the two companies shook hands on the opportunity to share technology, primarily relating to cloud-based streaming. This shocked many - including PlayStation's own staff - but it's a deal that sounds beneficial for both tech giants in more ways than one.
According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in an interview with Fortune, the partnership is "all driven by Sony". He goes on to say that the Japanese giant's trust of the Redmond corporation is down to "the fact that we have a business model in the areas that they’re partnering with us, where we’re dependent on their success".
Nadella continues: "So we will do the best job for them, whether it’s in cloud or whether it’s in A.I. or what have you, in order to make sure that Sony can succeed with their own IP creation."
It sounds like the partnership really will benefit both parties, but it will also extend further than just video games. Sony will use Microsoft's Azure cloud tech for games, but for other areas too: "They also have - beyond gaming - other assets, like interesting devices and silicon (chip) businesses, which could be interesting in the context of what we’re doing in Azure".
Hopefully we'll feel the benefits of this deal with the PlayStation 5. It sounds like an amicable agreement to us, and should boost both companies over the next few years.
[source fortune.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 8
I don't really understand the agreement to be honest. Could someone break it down. Are Sony going to be using Microsoft tech for cloud gaming and if so why. Don't Sony already have decent tech for cloud gaming with the Gaikai PlayStation Now?
@Dange my take is that azure is globally available and can't really be compared to gakai in terms of power/ scalability because it's on another galaxy.
@Dange
except Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM and few other Tech American giant Companies, Do you think other Companies has a Excellent A.I. tech to benefit on important areas?
certainly NO...
so, if you want to do big moves in A.I. and Cloud areas in future you MUST be partnered by this Companies... at least for 5 years or more!
but why Microsoft ? its simple: they are Only big giant Company of above list that has Gaming Section and they worked on this side of Cloud tech! maybe even on gaming A.I.
@MattSilverado Exactly!
@Dange
It's a long term agreement for the next decade. It's been rumoured that Amazon network which is the biggest, I think, was first in discussion with Sony but that didn't go well. It's for when and if cloud gaming really takes off. So that's really long term thinking and being on top of what maybe a big part of the future gaming landscape with competitive networks.
My thoughts haha
Edit
I dont like the way cloud gaming is looking to be predominant in a reasonably far future but I cant blame Sony to be forward thinking tbh
Edit 2
Its Sony / Ms. Not just or necessarily linked to gaming.
Interesting although I'd like to see some clarification on exactly how Microsoft are benefiting from this partnership.
@LieutenantFatman Sony will benefit from Microsoft's software expertise in A.I., Cloud Gaming, etc., Microsoft will benefit from Sony's expertise in hardware manufacturing, camera sensors, etc.
@Turismo4GT
That's great, thanks! Interesting to know.
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