Sony’s cloud strategy will ‘be unique and only on PlayStation’

PlayStation‘s CEO Jim Ryan says the company is working on a cloud gaming experience that will “be unique and only on PlayStation.”

As reported by VideoGamesCronicle (via a translated Nikkei interview), Jim Ryan explained that PlayStation is still “having conversations with [Microsoft] about exchanging ideas,” for a wider cloud gaming strategy.

We’re still talking to them about exchanging ideas, and there’s some very interesting stuff, so when the time is right, we’ll announce our cloud strategy.

We could conceivably use the cloud for our technical infrastructure, but the cloud gaming experience we’re offering will be unique and only on PlayStation.

Back in 2019, Sony and Microsoft announced a partnership to explore the use of current Microsoft Azure data center-based solutions for Sony’s game and content-streaming services.

Sony’s partnership with Microsoft also explores the areas of semiconductors and AI, Sony’s cutting-edge image sensors have been integrated into Microsoft’s Azure AI technology.  In terms of AI, both companies will explore the incorporation of Microsoft’s advanced AI platform and tools in Sony consumer products, providing highly intuitive and user-friendly AI experiences.

While Ryan affirms that Sony’s plans for Cloud Gaming are yet to be revealed, PlayStation Now had over 2.2 million subscribers as of April 2020. The cloud gaming service allows subscribers to stream over 700 games. The PlayStation Now catalog includes PS4, PS3, and PS2 titles that can be downloaded and streamed on PS5 and PS4 consoles or Windows PC.

When asked if the emergence of cloud gaming services could disrupt hardware release cycles, Ryan affirmed that it was too early to say, suggesting that streaming might not come into its own until the current generation of hardware is on its way out.

“At the end of the [current] cycle, the cloud may play some role,” he said. “We have just released PS5, so at this point it’s time to learn how people are enjoying it, and then we’ll take the time to think about the future of PlayStation.”

Jim Ryan also affirmed that Sony Interactive Entertainment has been “steadily investing in high-quality games for PlayStation”, he promises that the PS5 will have more “dedicated” software than ever before.

“We have repeatedly engaged in mergers and acquisitions, including Insomniac Games in the US. We will not rule out that option in the future”