MS and Sony to explore ‘strategic partnership’

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https://news.microsoft.com/2019/05/16/sony-and-microsoft-to-explore-strategic-partnership/

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"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."
 
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Business is business, and it’s the bottom line that matters to both companies.

https://news.microsoft.com/2019/05/16/sony-and-microsoft-to-explore-strategic-partnership/

Sony and Microsoft to explore strategic partnership
May 16, 2019 | Microsoft News Center
Companies to collaborate on new cloud-based solutions for gaming experiences and AI solutions
Kenichiro Yoshida, President and CEO, Sony Corporation (left), and Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft
TOKYO and REDMOND, Wash. — May 16, 2019 — Sony Corporation (Sony) and Microsoft Corp. (Microsoft) announced on Thursday that the two companies will partner on new innovations to enhance customer experiences in their direct-to-consumer entertainment platforms and AI solutions.

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.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, Sony and Microsoft will also explore collaboration in the areas of semiconductors and AI. For semiconductors, this includes potential joint development of new intelligent image sensor solutions. 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 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,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, president and CEO of Sony. “PlayStation® itself came about through the integration of creativity and technology. Our mission is to seamlessly evolve this platform as one that continues to deliver the best and most immersive entertainment experiences, together with a cloud environment that ensures the best possible experience, anytime, anywhere. 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.”

“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.”

Going forward, the two companies will share additional information when available.
 
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At the very least this means that Sony would be using MS Azure for online gaming servers.
 
I knew this was going to happen in this field. MS once again ahead of the competition. Years ahead.

I can hear the explosion of Sony heads popping left and right! 🤣🤣🤣
 
I knew this was going to happen in this field. MS once again ahead of the competition. Years ahead.

I can hear the explosion of Sony heads popping left and right! 🤣🤣🤣

They'll all feel stupid when Microsoft announces at E3 that they've sold the XBox brand to Amazon and they've got to migrate from Azure to AWS.
 
That's good. Sony doesn't have a good solution with Gakai or whatever it's called. I wonder what MS will get out of the bargain (besides money). Access to Sony platforms somehow?

Nice to see them working together, regardless.
 
This might explain why Sony not going to E3.
Didn't want to look weak on something that they don't have
 
you might see it now that PSN is now pretty much over and goes over Microsoft server which is far more better in every way.

This is why SONY have been not saying anything with the cloud service and not going to E3.
 
you might see it now that PSN is now pretty much over and goes over Microsoft server which is far more better in every way.

This is why SONY have been not saying anything with the cloud service and not going to E3.

More better? TAKE IT BACK! lol

I'm not a fan of all the cloud talk but if MS has a set up and both companies see it as mutually beneficial I guess they had no reason not to do it. Depending on the deal this basically removes any cloud "advantage" MS may have had next gen but we'll see.
 
The thing that jumps out at me about this announcement besides using Azure for streaming is the possibility that industry may get a standard cloud compute setup. I remember in Titanfall 1 all of the maps felt more dynamic and almost all of that seemed to be stripped when they had to factor in Sony in the mix.
 
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As an owner of a Pro and an X, I really just want an X-Station Play Anywhere policy for at least some key games. Tear down that paywall!