Are Sony about to partner with Onlive to kick M$ where it hurts? (Updated)

Sony is reportedly planning to announce a cloud gaming partnership with either Gaikai or OnLive at E3.

According to VG247, the deal will enable streamed games on PlayStation hardware.

The report claims the announcement will be made during the company's press conference on June 4, which is scheduled for 6pm Pacific Time (2am in UK).

Back in 2011, OnLive VP of engineering Joe Bentley told CVG the company had held discussions with representatives of both Sony and Microsoft over a possible console collaboration for the service.

"There are OnLive guys chatting [Sony and MS], but we'll see where it goes. But it would absolutely work, we're ready to work with everybody," he said.


[UPDATE]

Latest reports suggest that rather than entering a partnership Sony are close to buying out one of the two firms....


In a move that will rock the next generation of console gaming, Sony is close to agreeing an acquisition of a high profile cloud gaming firm, MCV understands.

It was reported earlier this week that Sony was to reveal a partnership with a cloud gaming firm – specifically either OnLive or Gaikai – at E3 next week.

Subsequent chatter had seemingly calmed the rumours, suggesting that the proposed agreement was to do with Sony streaming TV services, and not consoles.

However, MCV understands that the deal is far more extensive than anyone could have predicted and will see Sony fully acquire one of the two firms. The deal, our source says, “is close to being signed”.

The acquisition has implications for all parts of Sony’s business, both in the consumer tech and console divisions.

Although work on PS4 is already well underway, Sony is very likely keen on bringing its PlayStation gaming content to non-console owners – a move finally made possible by this deal.

And there could be benefits for console users, too, with gaming content likely to be available when on the move and without the need for a direct connection to the console.

If nothing else, the deal should hit home the fact that the digital gaming revolution is not a distant dream – it’s happening. Now. And the implications for games retail are both obvious and colossal.


It seems unlikely that this will be Onlive but it's no secret that Gaikai have been actively seeking funds to further their platform, It would also be a big benefit for owners of both the PS3 and PSVita as the potential is there to just take your PS3 games with you and play anywhere....

another reason to go down the ps3/4 route

It may well be mate, I certainly wouldn't complain at high PC spec games running on a PS3 and the fact you can rent rather than buy is a big plus in my book

Very interesting, I have wanted to have a look at Onlive, and do have an account set up but my Internet connection doesn't meet the minimum requirements...it will do soon though so this is something that I might be interested in.

I read something about this earlier,but a quote from OnLive VP said they were talking to both Sony and MS. Also Sony are meant to make an announcement around June 8th.

Yeah it seems that Sony may announce a partnership first, Unsure how M$ can allow it with the security of Live so tight.

Andy wrote:another reason to go down the ps3/4 route

Maybe this might persuade people otherwise. Certainly does for me:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-25-sony-patents-method-to-interrupt-your-gaming-with-an-ad


Funny how M$ and the like were quite dismissive of Onlive a little while ago. Sooner or later their tune has to change as long term the Onlive service makes a lot of sense, cuts a lot of post development costs etc and will be an attractive option to gamers.

M$ biggest problem is finding a way of force feeding kinect into an Onlive service

cant see that happening chris - how many folks would just bin their ps3 on the spot if that occurred?

True enough Andy - I know I would but surely you wouldnt patent something to not use or just to stop your competitors from using it?

Product placement in games is one thing but image playing something like Trials and o your 50th restart on a tough track a Cola ad suddenly pops up? It would be very annoying to say the least

OP Updated!

hadnt actually considered renting games until i initially read this, now it really appeals to me for those games that i am on the fence about getting.

So pay for 'Live' or pay for 'Sony'.

Subscribed to a month of onlive, didnt stick with it too many issues, quality being one of them.

It can be all over the palce, you need a very good conenction, decent bandwidth, minimum 10meg and an ISP that doesnt cap your data after you downlaod certain amounts of data (Virgin media springs to mind)

So unless things are going to change to unlimited data plans with ISP's this is still going to be an uphill struggle for this type of service, combined with poor video quality when your connection sufers.