The battle for Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard has been anything but easy. There’s plenty of concern with regulators on whether this deal can proceed or not. However, Microsoft was already given a halt from the CMA. According to the CMA, the reason was due to concerns over cloud gaming. Now while Microsoft appeals that decision, they are also in court with the FTC over this acquisition. As a result, we’re getting a bit more insight into not only Microsoft’s views on the gaming industry but competitors as well, such as the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan.
During the FTC trial, there was a video deposition featuring Jim Ryan. Thanks to a report from the VGC, we’re finding out that Sony doesn’t view cloud gaming as becoming mainstream until, at the very least, 2025. In the report, Jim Ryan was asked about when cloud gaming would become a significant component of PlayStation. While Jim Ryan couldn’t point to a specific date, he noted that it would be years. Giving a rough estimate, Jim Ryan stated that cloud gaming might not become mainstream or a significant component for PlayStation until 2025 to 2035. That would allow Sony to continue monitoring the community and cloud technology to ensure that they have an answer for players that wish to enjoy video games through the cloud.
Of course, we already know that Sony is toying around with the idea of cloud gaming PlayStation 5 games. If you don’t recall, it was previously announced that Sony was working on PS5 cloud gaming technology. Eventually, after the testing is completed, the feature will be rolled out to PlayStation Plus subscribers. That would at least give players a bit more freedom to enjoy the video games without having to deal with lengthy downloads and installation processes.
As mentioned, cloud gaming was a concern from the CMA, who struck down the acquisition plea from Microsoft. In their eyes, Microsoft would become too much of a dominant force with cloud gaming and its line of exclusives. But since then, Microsoft has continued to strike more deals with cloud gaming providers to feature Microsoft games, including potential future IPs that would become under their control, such as Call of Duty, if they are able to proceed with the Activision Blizzard purchase. Meanwhile, in other news regarding this deposition, Jim Ryan made the bold statement that no publishers like Microsoft’s Game Pass.
