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Sony's relationship with Microsoft is "deepening"

Sony's relationship with Microsoft is "deepening"

PlayStation maker Sony has said that its relationship with console rival Microsoft is "deepening" following the company using Xbox's cloud tech.

That's according to Sony's executive VP Toru Katsumoto who told investors – as transcribed by VGC – that he believes this will develop into "a very strong partnership."

“Since last year we have been discussing this collaboration with Microsoft. In addition to cloud streaming games [there are] semiconductors, consumer electronics and remote solutions… in these areas we are proceeding with our discussions,” he told shareholders.

“Microsoft Azure has splendid cloud technologies and they have given us [clear] explanations so far. Each side has its merits and it seems that our mutual understanding is deepening after discussions.”

In May 2019, Microsoft and Sony signed a deal for the PlayStation maker to use the Xbox firm's Azure cloud tech. Sony might have been wildly successful during this console generation, but the Japanese company doesn't have the kind of cloud infrastructure that can rival Microsoft's.

It's possible Sony will be using Azure to power both its online PSN service, as well as its PlayStation Now streaming platform.

Sony's PlayStation team wasn't aware that the deal was taking place until it was announced


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.