Today Sony and Microsoft announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding paving the way for a strategic partnership.
As part of the memorandum, the two companies will explore “joint-development” to support their game and content streaming services.
The use of solutions based on Microsoft’s Azure datacenters for Sony’s game streaming services is also being considered.
“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.”
The memorandum also includes the possibility of a collaboration in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
This includes the “incorporation of Microsoft’s advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer products, to provide highly intuitive and user-friendly AI experiences.”
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida accompanied the announcement with a statement:
“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.
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.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also provided a comment:
“Sony has always been a leader in both entertainment and technology, and the collaboration we announced today builds on this history of innovation.
Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and entertainment experiences for customers.”
We might hear more about this in a few days when Sony will talk about its plans for PlayStation Now at its Corporate Strategy Meeting.
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