Gadgetory

- Microsoft has just recently made a very interesting announcement regarding them having a sort of partnership with Sony. And while the specific names of Xbox and PlayStation weren't really used in the announcement, it seems more or less like that's basically what it's really about. Now what exactly they're talking about is in regards to Microsoft and Sony working together in terms of Cloud Based Technology. Specifically, both of them making use of Microsoft Azure. Now where this comes to play with systems is likely to be the very heavily talked about future that Microsoft has been involved with, with Cloud streaming. Now this news is really interesting for a couple different reasons. First off, there's the obviously long time rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation when it comes to just old fashion console wars, dating all the way back to the original Xbox coming out verses the PS2. But another reason why this is interesting is because Sony hasn't really been talking about streaming services too much lately. Yes, they do have a history of working with it, for instance, with PlayStation Now, allowing people to play some PS3 and PS4 games in streamplay. But it hasn't been something they've focused on as far as future discussions for what they're working on. However, obviously, this announcement points to the contrary that not only is Microsoft still interested in pursuing this future for themselves, but that PlayStation wants a cut of it as well. And it's something that they're willing to work together on to try to excel the technology. Well, Cloud Based Technology was the focus of the announcement, it was also mentioned that working together on semiconductors and AI technologies as well, which more than likely play into these same services. So, does that mean this is it? It's over? The console war is just gone? No, not at all, at least not any time soon. Look, this is a very strategic partnership with one specific goal in mind. Microsoft and PlayStation wanna work together to deal with Google. Microsoft has been talking a while about Cloud based gaming. Ever since the Xbox One came out, in fact. And while it's something that they've been working on, they haven't really had any true competition in that aspect until the recent reveal of Google Stadia. Now there have been a lot of opinions about whether or not Google Stadia is gonna be something that actually works when it launches later this year, at least in testing phases. But whether or not it does, the fact remains that it is a major threat to something that Microsoft for a while didn't have any obvious competition for. And in that regard, it really isn't that surprising at all that Microsoft is willing to work with Sony. In fact, I think that at this current time, Microsoft doesn't really care about the concept of console war. At least, not in the way that a lot of other people seem to. And I think Microsoft's main goal is to try and work with as many companies as possible and make themselves ingrained in all gaming culture. They don't care what system you play on or what you're doing, as long as Microsoft is involved in some way. That's why we've been seeing things like Xbox Live come to Nintendo Switch. Or even some originally Xbox exclusive titles like Cuphead make their way to the Switch. And in this respect, the really surprising business news actually is that Sony is working with them, because after things have gone so well since the PS4 came out, Sony really hasn't had a reason to try and play nice with everyone else. I mean, a really key example is the whole idea of cross-platform play where they completely abstained from it entirely until enough people complained for a few specific games, and that's how it still stands. You get cross-platform Fortnite, you get cross-platform for Rocket League. Everything else? No. And let's not forget that both these companies have already begun talking up their next generation systems with PlayStation already dropping some hints about what the PS5 might have power-wise. And Xbox giving even more vague hints about how theirs is going to be even more powerful. So no, the console war is not over. At least not for the next generation where we're still going to see major consoles from both systems and are both of them are still gonna have exclusives and reasons to compete. So what does this actually mean for the future? Well, I think on the Sony side of things, it shows that there is actually a much larger interest in streamplay than was previously shown. At least in recent years from Sony. I think that means for the PS5 we might be seeing a continuation of PlayStation Now, or PlayStation Now taking on some new form. I don't think it's going to same degree as Microsoft is, where we might even see something like a streaming focused basic Xbox, but I think PlayStation is going to offer some kind of newer version of a PlayStation Now membership that focuses on using that streaming technology. As for Xbox, this is just one more example to throw in the pile of how Microsoft is trying to actively work with more companies instead of actively against them. And so this leads a lot more credence to some of the rumors and theories people have had about how Microsoft plans to work with other companies in the future. For instance, with Nintendo. As we've already said, they have things like offering Xbox Live and having some exclusives go over to the Switch. But I think this also means that we could be seeing stuff like the entire theoretical future where Xbox game streaming could come to the handheld system. Which is honestly a best case scenario thing that I really hope ends up happening. Because the idea of being able to play something with One-X, or even future Xbox system graphics on a Nintendo Switch handheld while you're connected to Wifi, that sounds awesome. Provided that you know, it actually streams through cleanly and doesn't break all the time. The fact of the matter is that while this sounds like huge, awesome news right now, it's not gonna be something we see any real fruits of until much later down the line. They are working together to develop technology and whether or not that technology plays a big role in gaming in the near future we're just gonna have to wait and see.