Some players have been speculating / fantasizing about a Microsoft takeover of SEGA for several years. When a “strategic alliance” between the two companies was announced last month, some saw it, despite the details then provided by SEGA, an omen of the development of exclusive Xbox games. And the fact that the publisher mentioned his project of “Super Game” in the context of this announcement did not help. In order not to allow doubt and rumors to settle in, SEGA has once again come back to the situation.
SEGA has just clarified its “strategic alliance“with Microsoft and specify that the latter does not involve Xbox exclusives. The publisher has spoken twice on this subject as part of the release of its latest financial results. presentation of its results first, SEGA looks back on this partnership.
Between Microsoft and SEGA, it’s not what you think
The Japanese publisher explains that the latter will help him develop “Super Games. “And that these are part of its long-term strategy. SEGA recalls that it has worked with Microsoft in various ways for a long time. But that their alliance around”Super Games“is more technical than commercial:
We already have a very close working relationship with Microsoft. We have outsourced the development of some of their major titles. And as a third-party publisher, we provide them with a variety of titles. When we announced the concept of Super Game, Microsoft was receptive to this vision. Which brings us to the recent announcement. Regarding the latter, let’s clarify that we are not talking about releasing games on Microsoft platforms exclusively. But rather the development of a Super Game that will be offered to the whole world with the help of their technical support.
A partnership that could benefit everyone
The subject was then put back on the mat during the questions answers with analysts and investors. One question indeed asked if this alliance with Microsoft would change the relationship that SEGA maintains with other platform managers such as Sony and Nintendo. The author of the question also asked if this alliance would lead to financial support of SEGA by Microsoft. To this, Sonic’s house responded:
We will be working with Microsoft on the development of the titles we call “Super Game“But we don’t think this will affect our relationships with other platform managers as we plan to release these titles on other platforms as well. Azure, Microsoft’s cloud service, is spreading across the world. Including in Africa, South America and other areas that we still cannot reach. So we hope we can get their help there as well.
Regarding Azure, we are already collaborating on “PSO2“and we would like to continue to develop this relationship. We are also carrying out technical verifications regarding the feasibility of realizing the vision that we want to achieve through titles developed in the future. We first did the development on our own. But to deliver innovative titles around the world in the future, we felt that receiving technical support from Microsoft would make it more feasible. And this is how we achieved the covenant that we recently announced.
An Azure blue SEGA logo is not for now
It therefore appears clear that SEGA intends to use Azure technology to release its games on several platforms. As such, the partnership is more with Microsoft than with Xbox specifically. Even though Xbox’s expertise in managing games via the cloud will most certainly come in handy.
That being said, it seems important to stress that these details from SEGA concern the project “Super Game.“As well as the impact of the latter on relations that SEGA has with other manufacturers. They do not claim that SEGA will never offer Xbox exclusive games. Or even games reserved for other consoles.
At this time, SEGA has not communicated anything about the first game resulting from its “Super Game. “
What do you think of these clarifications from SEGA vis-à-vis its partnership with Microsoft? Did you think it was going to lead to Xbox exclusives? Do you believe that providing these details was necessary? Do you think the publisher is right to turn to Microsoft to take advantage of its expertise in cloud gaming? Give us your opinion in the comments below.
