Not since the first appearance of a Sonic game on a Nintendo console have we seen such a shocking partnership, as Microsoft and Sony have announced that they'll be working together in order to make advancements in cloud gaming. The two rivals will put aside their differences, at least when it comes specifically to Microsoft Azure and cloud-powered services. As referred to in the press release, Sony will be assisting the development of Microsoft's cloud technology in exchange for being able to apply it, likely to their PlayStation Now and PlayStation Vue services.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties, the two companies will explore joint development of future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services. In addition, the two companies will explore the use of current Microsoft Azure datacenter-based solutions for Sony’s game and content-streaming services. By working together, the companies aim to deliver more enhanced entertainment experiences for their worldwide customers. These efforts will also include building better development platforms for the content creator community.

This partnership is especially curious, as it comes somewhat after the reveal of the all-streaming Google Stadia, and in the midst of both companies gearing up for the switch into the next gaming generation.

Sony has always been a leader in both entertainment and technology, and the collaboration we announced today builds on this history of innovation,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. “Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and entertainment experiences for customers.

Source

 

[Xzi]

Ah, the one thing both Microsoft and Sony agree on: giving customers less ownership over their games.

 

[DarkCrudus]

Hopefully console segregation will finally come to an end and I can play with certain friends with out having to double dip on a game.

 

[Deleted User]

Ah, the one thing both Microsoft and Sony agree on: giving customers less ownership over their games.

Nothing will touch this comment so true

 

[Xandrid]

I'm genuinely surprised Sony is partnering with Microsoft, because Sony can't play nice when it comes to cross-play

 

[Chary]

Definitely smart for Microsoft. They're really ramping things up. Even if their hardware doesn't sell as well as the competition, they still have power over cloud services, now. And they're snapping up smaller studios and their IPs. Not to mention that they can market to two different platforms: Xbox and PC. Things are looking good for them.

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Definitely smart for Microsoft. They're really ramping things up. Even if their hardware doesn't sell as well as the competition, they still have power over cloud services, now. And they're snapping up smaller studios and their IPs. Not to mention that they can market to two different platforms: Xbox and PC. Things are looking good for them.

What kind of cloud services?

 

[the_randomizer]

I'm genuinely surprised Sony is partnering with Microsoft, because Sony can play nice when it comes to cross-play

What? Sony hardly plays nice with other companies when it comes to crossplay, they always find some lame excuse not to.

 

[EmulateLife]

Halo X Killzone wen.

 

[Xandrid]

What? Sony hardly plays nice with other companies when it comes to crossplay, they always find some lame excuse not to.

Oops I meant "can't"

 

[xs4all]

Interesting concept, if only there was a unified system/device/service, then it just comes down to games/content, no more exclusives so no one is left out and no more fanboy'ism.
Bridging the gap so everyone can play....yeah maybe in an alternate universe and when pigs fly.

 

[SuperDan]

Feels suspicious to me!

 

[EmulateLife]

Microsoft exec: did we just acquire Ratchet & Clank?

 

[WAUthethird]

Interesting - though I pray to the heavens that Nintendo doesn't follow the competition in this case.

 

[Axido]

Inb4 Sony still blocks cross-play, even though the for bexact same games for both platforms are being rendered on the exact same servers.

 

[sawao_yama]

What? Sony hardly plays nice with other companies when it comes to crossplay, they always find some lame excuse not to.

They were the first that started it, lame excuses all the time.

 

[leon315]

Finally Overwatch X1/ps4 cross-play?

Am I asking too much?

 

[sawao_yama]

Lots of Sony haters, oh wait, is that par for the course on gbatemp? It will help with online, all these idiotic conspiracies about losing “more” access to your games is dumb.

 

[WAUthethird]

Lots of Sony haters, oh wait, is that par for the course on gbatemp? It will help with online, all these idiotic conspiracies about losing “more” access to your games is dumb.

Well, not being able to play games at low latency and at any time is definitely a drawback to this. In almost all of the world, internet speed sucks.

 

[Varia]

Microsoft exec: did we just acquire Ratchet & Clank?

Lol, probably most people wouldn't get the joke.