Sony doesn't have the infrastructure or the resources to provide for it's own streaming service.
Since PS Now has been operational for 5 years and Gaikai since about 2010, not sure what you mean by "
doesn't have the infrastructure", if they want it to be more cost effective or additional technology maybe... meaning they don't want to be involved in building out server farms. I actually look at basic cloud services as more of a commodity play, who cares where the iron ore, coal or natural gas comes from.
If I can spin up a Linux box in Azure or spin one up in AWS, what's the real difference... usually just costs.
The biggest issues I see with cloud gaming are:
- No customer or demand (for obvious reasons)
- seems like their is an inability or difficulty to virtual the console hardware (at least my understanding)... beyond my pay grade as far as this.
If Sony can VM the console than it makes moving to a more traditional cloud services structure make more sense.
The Xboxes even in xCloud are just custom rack mounted Xboxes... all of this is terrible way of doing things for both Sony and Microsoft. Of course, we're all pretending like there is actually demand for game streaming but the reality is... there isn't any real demand.
Funny, Nadella seems to be under the impression that not only is it a partnership, but that Sony will use Azure for it's gaming.
I think he wanted to word things in a more positive light, but he doesn't say that at all....
you are saying that. They either have a contract/s or they don't. I would suggest you read slower and watch Sony's presentation and interview after IRD, they clearly say they have "
no contracts" and "
no partnership".... all they have is a mutual understanding to possibly work on some tech and maybe for a partnership.