Microsoft-Sony Cloud Gaming Collaboration Was Driven By Sony, Says Microsoft CEO

Earlier in the year, the gaming industry was rocked when it was announced that Sony and Microsoft would partner together for cloud-based gaming and AI. It was a big talking point for a while, particularly because of what it meant for the future. It also seems that Sony was the one in the driver’s seat for the deal- at least according to Microsoft.

In speaking with Fortune, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the entire move was “driven” by Sony. They looked at what Microsoft was doing in those areas and decided to put aside their ‘rivalry’ for the better of their own IP creation. The fact that they were competitors was trumped by the access and need for technology.

“It’s a beginning for us,” he said. “First of all, it’s all driven by Sony. They looked at who are all their partners that they can trust. In fact, it turns out, even though we’ve competed, we’ve also partnered.

“So we will do the best job for them, whether it’s in cloud or whether it’s in A.I. or what have you, in order to make sure that Sony can succeed with their own IP creation.”

It’s also worth mentioning that while we refer it as a partnership, nothing has been made official yet on paper, and the two currently only have a “broad memorandum of understanding”. Regardless, there’s no reason to think that it won’t go through in the end. Whether or not it will ever have an impact that the everyday consumer will ever see remains to be seen, but it seems like whatever will come from it can be tied back to Sony.