Microsoft and Sony have signed a groundbreaking cloud-based gaming partnership. Through this partnership, Sony is going to bring its gaming and content to Microsoft Azure cloud-computing platform. Plus the companies are going to partner on new innovations to enhance customer experiences in their direct-to-consumer entertainment platforms and AI solutions.
As the companies work together, they will deliver more enhanced entertainment experiences for their worldwide customers. And these efforts are going to include building better development platforms for the content creator community.
Sony and Microsoft are going to explore collaboration in the areas of semiconductors and AI. For semiconductors, this includes potential joint development of new intelligent image sensor solutions.
“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 Sony president and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida in a statement. “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.”
And by combining Sony’s image sensors with Microsoft’s Azure AI technology in a hybrid manner across cloud and edge, the companies are going to provide enhanced capabilities for enterprise customers. In terms of AI, the parties are going to explore the incorporation of Microsoft’s advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer products in order to provide 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,” added Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. “Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony to deliver new gaming and entertainment experiences for customers.”
