Microsoft's xCloud Integration Discussions for PS5 Revealed in Legal Battle

Politics, News Sept. 20, 2023, 12:31 a.m.

Microsoft executives discussed the possibility of integrating xCloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on PS5 in documents revealed during their legal battle with FLuzala over the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The internal chat explored Sonys browser compatibility and suspicions of service blockage. Microsoft had previously accused Sony of obstructing Game Pass on PlayStation.

Documents disclosed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have unveiled internal discussions among Microsoft executives regarding the potential integration of xCloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on the PlayStation 5 (PS5). These documents were presented by Microsoft as part of their ongoing legal dispute with FLuzala concerning their acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

xCloud, Microsoft's game streaming platform introduced in September 2020, was the focal point of an internal conversation held in February 2021. High-ranking Microsoft executives, including Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, contemplated whether Sony's web browser could support xCloud streaming on the PS5. They also speculated about the likelihood of Sony actively preventing users from accessing Microsoft's services.

Kareem Choudhry of Microsoft inquired, "Could an xCloud subscriber, via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, stream games to the PS5 through its web browser during this period? This way, they wouldn't necessarily convert into Xbox buyers, but there's still an opportunity to secure a subscriber."

The discussion delved into Sony's web browser development roadmap, an area the Microsoft team had little knowledge of. Spencer suggested allocating engineers to this endeavor, while Bond expressed eagerness to witness Sony's response.

Previously, Microsoft had alleged that Sony had hindered access to Game Pass on the PlayStation platform.