Sony and Microsoft are Teaming Up
By: Bryce L. Jackson
It is being reported that Sony and Microsoft’s gaming divisions are entering a partnership that aims to build on the possible future of gaming.
Sony President Kenichiro Yoshida and MIcrosoft CEO Staya Nadella
Sony and Microsoft agree to a partnership to share technology in Cloud Gaming. An official joint release from Sony president Kenichiro Yoshida stated that they will both be be using Microsoft Azure to “develop future cloud solutions”. Microsoft Azure is a “cloud computing service created by Microsoft for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers”.
Sony will convert to using Microsoft data centers that will aid gaming and streaming platforms for Sony, potentially buffing services like PlayStation Now and PlayStation Vue. Sony will also be using Microsoft’s artificial intelligence services that can also add to the quality of Sony user experience. Conjecture in gaming spaces suggest that this partnership could open up more cross-play opportunities between the companies since Sony finally began allowing cross-play for games like Fortnite earlier this year. AJ Dellinger of Engadget also believes that the deal could take Sony’s focus off of issues that plagued their user experience like slow download speeds.
In return, Microsoft gains a new customer for its Azure cloud services account as well as access to Sony’s image sensors, which can aid Microsoft in gaming if they chose to reintroduce some sort of Kinect functionality or use it in another technology venture within the company.
The business deal between gaming giants Sony and Microsoft is a surprising move since the two have been competitors in the space for decades. The two companies have chosen to combat the new challenge of Cloud Gaming becoming a growing option with consumers and the issues it brings. Adding the fact that tech mega-corp Google wants to enter the gaming space with its Cloud-based game streaming platform Stadia, Sony and Microsoft could be joining forces in this avenue of gaming to stay relevant in that sector.