Support NeoGAF

[lynux3]

Then why do the deal to begin with? Simple question.

Based on the article it appears Microsoft and Sony want to explore areas in the business that will be mutually beneficial to both parties. I don't see anything in there about Sony being unprepared, killing PlayStation Now as we know it or about how Sony is moving their entire operation to Azure because they have no other options. I guess if I was wearing your fanboy tinted glasses I might see it that way.

 

[FranXico]

I dont understand why Sony need to go with this...

PSN working just fine..

Been gaming along time on ps and i dont have any problem with their network infrastructure...

Maybe MS offered a good deal. Maybe Sony figured they would save money on the long run...

 

[FranXico]

Are you pretending to be obtuse for the sake of, or?

Azure is just a cloud service solution for a myriad of applications. Just like AWS, OpenStack, Google, etc..

Gaikai is tech behind Sony's game streaming and SharePlay/RemotePlay, just like Google and MS designing their own tech with Stadia/xCloud.

Azure =/= xCloud. Azure is the cloud hosting for the tech.

You saying they don't need Gaikai since they are expanding their data center coverage, is like saying they don't need Gaikai for OpenStack or AWS they have been using for their cloud hosting data center solutions.

This partnership says they're going to share their streaming technologies, probably since other players are moving in on the scene. It's more than just a "hosting" partnership.

They are probably going to incorporate each other's tech within their own services, or a more hilarious curveball would be to combine into one giant streaming service.

It's interesting that both Sony and MS regard Google as a serious threat. Enough to share tech.

 

[DeepEnigma]

It's interesting that both Sony and MS regard Google as a serious threat. Enough to share tech.

Any corporation is a threat that has the tech, data center reach and money to spend. Apple will be too.

They probably see how Google is throwing cash at publishers as well.

I know I would much prefer a MS/Sony partnership in the gaming arena than Google having control. I am just not into streaming my games personally, but if they maintain the local download option (something Google will not have), then that is ideal.

 

[lynux3]

Just imagine how much Google will harass you everytime you open YouTube or the YouTube app about Stadia? They already do it enough with YouTube TV.

 

[12Dannu123]

They're not killing Gaikai though. So you're wrong from the jump unless I missed it? My point still stands.

How are they not killing Gaikai.... do you have proof that they aren't?

Lmao, you got that tale from ur ass? Xcloud or Azure or watever it name is just a cloud service. Nobody give a fk about how MS license it, but what the customer do with the service they rented is depend on the customer. Why it need to be on Xbox hardware if the costumer does not have any plan to release anything on that?


Damage control? what damage?

It's smart because it keeps those companies inside the Xbox Ecosystem. Microsoft would rather have companies that release their own streaming solution do it with Microsoft's proprietary XCloud hardware over Stadia's proprietary hardware.

 

[FranXico]

I know I would much prefer a MS/Sony partnership in the gaming arena than Google having control. I am just not into streaming my games personally, but if they maintain the local download option (something Google will not have), then that is ideal.

Ideally, I would love for exclusivity to only apply to running natively on the platform. If every console was able to stream any game, but my platform of choice is how I run my games natively, the world would be a better place. Google wouldn't stand a chance.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Ideally, I would love for exclusivity to only apply to running natively on the platform. If every console was able to stream any game, but my platform of choice is how I run my games natively, the world would be a better place. Google wouldn't stand a chance.

This sounds like the most logical solution, and may just become reality.

 

[FranXico]

How are they not killing Gaikai.... do you have proof that they aren't?

That's not how logic works. The burden of proof is on those who claim something that has not been announced.

It's smart because it keeps those companies inside the Xbox Ecosystem. Microsoft would rather have companies that release their own streaming solution do it with Microsoft's proprietary XCloud hardware over Stadia's proprietary hardware.

Azure is not Xbox.

 

[12Dannu123]

That's not how logic works. The burden of proof is on those who claim something that has not been announced.


Azure is not Xbox.

I'm not talking about Azure as a whole I'm talking about the Xbox streaming specifically, which is XCloud, which is based on Xbox Console hardware and OS.

 

[lynux3]

I'm not talking about Azure as a whole I'm talking about the Xbox streaming specifically, which is XCloud, which is based on Xbox Console hardware and OS.

Are you suggesting that Sony is going to dump their custom built PS3/PS4 server blades in favor of Microsoft's xCloud server blades?

 

[kevin_trinh]

How are they not killing Gaikai.... do you have proof that they aren't?


It's smart because it keeps those companies inside the Xbox Ecosystem. Microsoft would rather have companies that release their own streaming solution do it with Microsoft's proprietary XCloud hardware over Stadia's proprietary hardware.

I dont know what you are talking about? Why the thread about Sony renting some cloud service from Azure related to how Xcloud doing something?

 

[DeepEnigma]

Are you suggesting that Sony is going to dump their custom built PS3/PS4 server blades in favor of Microsoft's xCloud server blades?

I dont know what you are talking about? Why the thread about Sony renting some cloud service from Azure related to how Xcloud doing something?

It's called spreading FUD.

 

[Hideous Snake]

I just wonder how Sony fanbois always never fails pulling things out of their ass. Xbox ded rip. Pack it up MS, time to shut down the Xbox Division. I wish you lot can see how stupid you look..

 

[Ar¢tos]

We all knew their competition would end up in steaming hot corporation sex, it was inevitable.

Since MS is already releasing games for switch, this might just be the first step to get MS games released on ps5 also, and get rid of the risky console business, keeping only the game side (becoming Sega, basically).

 

[Geki-D]

A very large bag of Sony's PS revenue to fund Xbox??

Will it balance out the royalties Sony get off of BD drives MS purchase to put in XB1s and their next console(s)?

Just imagine how much Google will harass you everytime you open YouTube or the YouTube app about Stadia? They already do it enough with YouTube TV.

Adblock seems to be quite effective at stopping that and to be fair to Google they could put stuff in place quite easily to stop Adblock from being effective on YT, just like ITV Player and a few other video playback sites. I'd say Google aren't quite at maximum ballbreaking scumbaggery on that front, yet.

 

[Panajev2001a]

If Gaikai was a factor, they wouldn't want Azure. Face it, they just don't have the infrastructure alone to do what they need to do to compete.

Netflix video streaming tech is like Gaikai / OnLive / PSNow are for Sony... and look Netflix does not build its own infrastructure either... still they are perhaps the most successful and efficient (highest quality) video streaming company.

Azure has a great infrastructure and are not trying to screw third party partners to push a MS service over them (some people were hoping MS would start beating Sony with XCloud using the full night of Azure against a potential Azure client, which was a bit delusional)... Sony was bound to scale up their solution with more AWS / OpenStack / Azure and it seems that Azure was able to secure another big third party client to their stable. Interesting to see what other collaborations may come on it in the future.

 

[Panajev2001a]

A very large bag of Sony's PS revenue to fund Xbox??

As if the Azure division will be happy with that . XCloud will be billed by that division as well as Sony and that kind of strategy may risk companies like Sony leaving Azure and going with other cloud infrastructure providers.

 

[FranXico]

I just wonder how Sony fanbois always never fails pulling things out of their ass. Xbox ded rip. Pack it up MS, time to shut down the Xbox Division. I wish you lot can see how stupid you look..

Please quote.

 

[Hideous Snake]

Please quote.

People saying Xbox dead and actually deluded enough to think that PSN is better than Xbox Live. No need to quote anything mate everything is on the previous page

 

[Smasher89]

This is possibly very good for us, the gamers.

But, something tells me it's not gonna end well. Don't ask me why, I just feel it.

Monopoly usually goes bad for the customers as competition is better for quality and prices.

 

[lynux3]

Adblock seems to be quite effective at stopping that and to be fair to Google they could put stuff in place quite easily to stop Adblock from being effective on YT, just like ITV Player and a few other video playback sites. I'd say Google aren't quite at maximum ballbreaking scumbaggery on that front, yet.

I do have to disagree to an extent... they were just about to ballbreak until the dev/user community spoke up.

 

[Panajev2001a]

People saying Xbox dead and actually deluded enough to think that PSN is better than Xbox Live. No need to quote anything mate everything is on the previous page

So, nothing and just a chance to call happy PSN customers deluded... gotcha... were you hoping that the billions of Azure would crush PSNow too?

 

[mcjmetroid]

 

[Hideous Snake]

So, nothing and just a chance to call happy PSN customers deluded... gotcha... were you hoping that the billions of Azure would crush PSNow too?

You think I'm here to fight with Xbox and PlayStation? I'm not stupid to engage in console wars. We aren't in 2005 and no I don't want anything crushed. Competition is good for me as for the console war going on here, please share with us the revenue anyone gets here from either Sony or MS

 

[DeepEnigma]

You think I'm here to fight with Xbox and PlayStation? I'm not stupid to engage in console wars. We aren't in 2005 and no I don't want anything crushed. Competition is good for me as for the console war going on here, please share with us the revenue anyone gets here from either Sony or MS

Yet you single out one side, when both sides are doing it?

Come on man, let's talk about the tech and what his partnership could bring for gamers, and not focus on the pissing matches between the two fandoms.

 

[JustP_Gaming]

So Xbox is officially death? Why buy Xbox Next when Ps5 has the best ex and the power of Azure too?

You still dont get it. You eventually will though.

 

[CyberPanda]

The fighting reminds me of this:

 

[DeepEnigma]

The fighting reminds me of this:

I never seen this before.

 

[Hideous Snake]

Yet you single out one side, when both sides are doing it?

Come on man, let's talk about the tech and what his partnership could bring for gamers, and not focus on the pissing matches between the fandoms.

Yes my apologies, that's wrong on my behalf.

This tech is going to be great. Even if the PSN recently became better, I'd still take the Azure to make it even better. Why would anyone not want extra better things right?

On the other hand, I wonder what Nintendo is going to do next. I game mostly on PS and Xbox especially that my mates are divided here and there.

What I REALLY wish for now after this, automatic cross-play between MS and Sony in the future games

 

[JustP_Gaming]

Sony chose to go with MS services. That's being lost in conversation. MS having never won a gen should take notes from Sony. Sony hasn't ever "needed" MS so let's cut the shit.

Obviously, times they are changing.

 

[CyberPanda]

I never seen this before.

Theres more:

 

[DeepEnigma]

Yes my apologies, that's wrong on my behalf.

This tech is going to be great. Even if the PSN recently became better, I'd still take the Azure to make it even better. Why would anyone not want extra better things right?

On the other hand, I wonder what Nintendo is going to do next. I game mostly on PS and Xbox especially that my mates are divided here and there.

What I REALLY wish for now after this, automatic cross-play between MS and Sony in the future games

It's most definitely going to make things better for PSN with more data center saturation and leveraging their tech, and this partnership I have a gut feeling is going to benefit both parties with sharing of their experience with streaming and cloud based technologies.

In the end, it's better for both Xbox and PS gamers with these types of improvements.

This may be a sign of crossplay going into next gen as well.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Theres more:

Oh dear, down the rabbit hole!

 

[CyberPanda]

Yes my apologies, that's wrong on my behalf.

This tech is going to be great. Even if the PSN recently became better, I'd still take the Azure to make it even better. Why would anyone not want extra better things right?

On the other hand, I wonder what Nintendo is going to do next. I game mostly on PS and Xbox especially that my mates are divided here and there.

What I REALLY wish for now after this, automatic cross-play between MS and Sony in the future games

Nintendo is great, but their online is such garbage. They need to address that stat!

 

[JustP_Gaming]

Netflix video streaming tech is like Gaikai / OnLive / PSNow are for Sony... and look Netflix does not build its own infrastructure either... still they are perhaps the most successful and efficient (highest quality) video streaming company.

Azure has a great infrastructure and are not trying to screw third party partners to push a MS service over them (some people were hoping MS would start beating Sony with XCloud using the full night of Azure against a potential Azure client, which was a bit delusional)... Sony was bound to scale up their solution with more AWS / OpenStack / Azure and it seems that Azure was able to secure another big third party client to their stable. Interesting to see what other collaborations may come on it in the future.

No its not like Gakai. Are you aware Netflix uses mainly the AWS cloud compute to do most of that fantastic stuff?

 

[Panajev2001a]

So you are saying "No", but then agreeing to what I just said?

Netflix not building their own cloud infrastructure backend and working mainly on the application layer software running on it (the software bit that works that magic)... guess what PSNow, OnLive, and Gaikai specialise on?

It is not designing PS consoles in server blade format .
For that side of the game streaming coin, custom server blades (Xbox One or PS4 on a blade, etc...) both Xbox and PSNow divisions have the same challenge of designing and installing the blades on the Azure data centres.

 

[Geki-D]

I do have to disagree to an extent... they were just about to ballbreak until the dev/user community spoke up.

Yeah but they could have just said "fuck you guys" and went ahead. I'm also talking specifically about YT and not Chrome, seeing as plenty of other sites get away with forcing people to turn off Adblock to watch stuff.

 

[Orpheum]

I really like the idea when it comes to streaming games. Strong competition against google and Amazon is good

 

[Bryank75]

 

[Coulomb_Barrier]

Console wars are over guys. (just saying)

Sony and Microsoft to explore strategic partnership - Source

Companies to collaborate on new cloud-based solutions for gaming experiences and AI solutions TOKYO and REDMOND, Wash. — May 16, 2019 — Sony Corporation (Sony) and Microsoft Corp. (Microsoft) announced on Thursday that the two companies will partner on new innovations to enhance customer...

news.microsoft.com

Sony and Microsoft set rivalry aside for cloud gaming alliance

Console war veterans join forces against the likes of Google and Apple

asia.nikkei.com

If they're over, I won't have any meaning left in my life. Console wars should continue forever.

 

[deriks]

Xcloud confirmed on PS5, guys

 

[JustP_Gaming]

So you are saying "No", but then agreeing to what I just said?

Netflix not building their own cloud infrastructure backend and working mainly on the application layer software running on it (the software bit that works that magic)... guess what PSNow, OnLive, and Gaikai specialise on?

It is not designing PS consoles in server blade format .
For that side of the game streaming coin, custom server blades (Xbox One or PS4 on a blade, etc...) both Xbox and PSNow divisions have the same challenge of designing and installing the blades on the Azure data centres.

You have it confused Xbox is not the one with the challenge as they are close to launch. It is PSNow that has the challenge.

 

[Tripolygon]

Here's a thought. Sony owns a huge amount of game streaming related patents from Gaikai and Onlive acquisitions. Partner up and cross license patents (avoid a costly court case) in exchange for some cloud space and cash. Win win win for everyone involved, except for consumers, we're fucked. I like owing physical products.

 

[DanielsM]

I just wonder how Sony fanbois always never fails pulling things out of their ass. Xbox ded rip. Pack it up MS, time to shut down the Xbox Division. I wish you lot can see how stupid you look..

I feel like you are over dramatizing the situation and setting up a Straw-man. Technically, Microsoft shutdown the Xbox Division (what everyone referred to as Xbox was Other Personal Computing) back in 2015, you just didn't notice. The Xbox Store games were moved to the Microsoft Store in late 2016/early 2017. Xbox as a separate unit or division no longer exists and hasn't for some time. Xbox is not a product anymore its a service and in 2018 Nadella spread out the Xbox product/services over multiple divisions, in yet another realignment. Microsoft is not shutting down the Xbox division, that was already done. They are transitioning Xbox as a Hardware into Xbox as a Service Platform, eventually you (the Xbox as a Hardware customer) will be transitioned to a Xbox as a Service Platform customer. Microsoft does calculate some figures from "Gaming" in their financials but there isn't a gaming division anymore, there are Xbox personnel but those people are spread out across multiple divisions.

Either way you as a Xbox user will eventually be transitioning for a period of time, with Windows users to your eventual home as a service. I would suspect Microsoft will continue to release Xbox as a Hardware for the short-medium term, as all the "cloud services" are not completed. Although, some of the Windows desktop services are starting to rollout the transition will have to take place over a very long period of time, probably 7-12 years.

Is Windows OS going away? No, but Windows users will eventually have to subscribe to a service and run from Azure.
Is Xbox division going to be shut down? Well, its the wrong question, it doesn't exist anymore, Xbox personnel are spread out over multiple divisions.
Is Xbox going away? No, its being transitioned into a service platform.
Is the Xbox Store being shutdown? That was already done in 2016/2017, and all the games were merged with the Microsoft Store.

Xbox is not being shutdown, on the contrary, Nadella is spending money to transition you into a cloud services user.

Eventually Windows users will be using a Virtual Desktop services for an example.

Azure Virtual Desktop | Microsoft Azure

Azure Virtual Desktop combines the scale, security, and cost benefits of Azure and Microsoft 365 for a secure remote desktop from virtually anywhere.

www.microsoft.com

Microsoft’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics (An Analysis) - Panmore

Microsoft’s organizational structure (company structure) hierarchy and divisions are analyzed in this technology business design case study.

panmore.com

Microsoft Shakes Up Its Leadership And Internal Structure As Its Fiscal Year Comes To A Close | TechCrunch

Update: For a #hottake, we made you a #video so that you can enjoy more #content! This morning Microsoft announced changes to its organizational structure

techcrunch.com

Satya Nadella email to employees on aligning engineering to strategy - Stories

From: Satya Nadella To: All Employees Date: June 17, 2015 Subject: Aligning Our Strategy & Structure Team, As we approach a new fiscal year, I’d like to share with you how we are aligning our structure to our strategy and the changes to our Senior Leadership Team. Over the past year, I have said...

news.microsoft.com

The New New Microsoft: Revamped divisions debut with earnings this week

Apps, The Cloud, and Windows/Devices. Microsoft uses fancier terms, but that's the simple way of looking at the company's new financial reporting

www.geekwire.com

 

[CaptainClaw]

Lmao what happened...it went from arguing about plastic to arguing about Radio Waves. Y'all funny funny.

 

[DanielsM]

Lmao what happened...it went from arguing about plastic to arguing about Radio Waves. Y'all funny funny.

Even the few cloud warriors are not going to be happy once they see the true costs of monthly subscription bills for renting virtual machines. There will be subscriptions on top of the subscriptions.

 

[mckmas8808]

Sounds to me like Sony stood no chance against MS (or Google) w/ higher quality game streaming on a global scale without paying them to use Azure.

In return, MS gets to use Sony image sensors/semiconductors for some AI development.

Nice win for MS, and a win to whoever eventually takes advantage of streaming on both fronts. Sony must've paid a pretty penny on top.

I'd say both sides won on this one.

 

[DanielsM]

I'd say both sides won on this one.

Or the gaming/windows customers get closer to losing. (maybe) For the record, my bet is the consumers continue to reject most of this stuff. Virtual Desktops have been available to the consumer for a 10+ years yet there is no traction, same goes for game streaming. There is some traction (although small) with Virtual Desktop in the business/enterprise world but not in the consumer world. For consumers, all of this will eventually just cost much more money, businesses can break even or even save on personnel.

Nadella's bet is this on the consumer side:

$50 Xbox Live Gold (annual subscription)
? Xbox xCloud (annual subscription)
$120 Game Pass (annual subscription)
$70-100 Office 365 (annual subscription)
$10-100 Windows Virtual Desktop (monthly fee)

Bundle the above for $400-1000 a year depending on the virtual desktop specs. The frogs have to be cooked slowly though.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Market 2019 Global Trends, Key Vendors Analysis, Industry Growth, Import - Reuters

The report on the global Virtual Desktop Infrastructure market covers historical market trends, current market dynamics, market valuation by segmentation as well as region, key player’s market share analysis, competitive landscape and supply chain analysis. Pune, India – May 16, 2019 — Market...

www.reuters.com

 

[Elenchus]

I'd say both sides won on this one.

Not really. Sony's ideal outcome was outperforming Xbox to the point that MS abandoned the effort so that Sony could absorb Xbox's customer base. This is just the opposite. MS becoming the backbone of Sony's and possibly Nintendo's online and digital futures (in an industry that is aggressively moving towards online and digital) renders MS indispensable. As the years advance Sony's entanglement and dependency on MS will grow to a point of no return. All the while Sony's revenue goes towards buying MS new studios and new tech. I get Sony needed to partner up and if this were a deal with Amazon it would make more sense. But Sony doing this with MS is frankly risky and is an abandonment of Sony's initial goal to get this fat cat American interloper out of the industry. All the spin in this thread cannot change the obvious-this was not a deal cut from a position of strength.