Sony and Microsoft Are Teaming Up For “Strategic Partnership”
The likes of Sony and Microsoft have been largely considered rivals for the duration of their presence in the gaming scene, the two companies notably spawning the successful PlayStation and Xbox brands respectively. Though the two have worked together in small doses before, Sony and Microsoft have now announced plans to explore a “strategic partnership” to develop cloud-based gaming and streaming technology.
“Sony is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. We collaborate closely with a multitude of content creators that capture the imagination of people around the world, and through our cutting-edge technology, we provide the tools to bring their dreams and vision to reality,” Sony president and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a statement.
For many years, Microsoft has been a key business partner for us, though of course the two companies have also been competing in some areas. I believe that our joint development of future cloud solutions will contribute greatly to the advancement of interactive content. Additionally, I hope that in the areas of semiconductors and AI, leveraging each company’s cutting-edge technology in a mutually complementary way will lead to the creation of new value for society.”
In addition to streaming content, this partnership would additionally see Sony and Microsoft collaborate in the areas of semiconductors and AI, where Sony would utilize their “cutting-edge image sensors” and Microsoft would bring Azure AI cloud technology to the table to explore the possibilities of leveraging both their considerable technologies. The statement continues:
By integrating Sony’s cutting-edge image sensors with Microsoft’s Azure AI technology in a hybrid manner across cloud and edge, as well as solutions that leverage Sony’s semiconductors and Microsoft cloud technology, the companies aim to provide enhanced capabilities for enterprise customers. In terms of AI, the parties will explore incorporation of Microsoft’s advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer products, to provide highly intuitive and user-friendly AI experiences.”
“Sony has always been a leader in both entertainment and technology, and the collaboration we announced today builds on this history of innovation,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella added. “Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and entertainment experiences for customers.”
The coming together of these two companies is surely a huge moment for console gaming, as well as gaming in general. With the next generation looming, companies have seemingly started moving toward a more software-based focus, such as subscriptions and streaming services. This new Sony Microsoft partnership would seem to indicate both Xbox and PlayStation are all-in on this approach, apparently willing to work together to achieve it. The announcement concluded that “the two companies will share additional information when available.”
What do you think? What does this Sony Microsoft partnership mean? What will result from these combined efforts? World domination? A PlayStation/Xbox hybrid device? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
