Pachter: Gaikai deal 'a strategic move to sell more Sony TVs'

[garyopa]

Sony looking for pushing TVs than traditional game products?



Also, according to the analyst, he is 'not sure Microsoft needs to respond' to the cloud gaming deal (well, it looks like MS isn't too concerned about it).

According to the Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, Sony's proposed purchase of the cloud gaming firm Gaikai, is likely more related to pushing Sony TVs than traditional game products:

"I think that this is more related to Sony's integrated strategy, and ties into their hopes of selling more televisions. I know that Gaikai was purchased by Sony Computer Entertainment, but essentially, they provide a solution to play games without a console, so they make a lot of sense if built into Sony TVs," he told CVG.

"This could be both a strategic move to sell more TVs and a pre-emptive move to keep others from using the service. It's actually a very interesting deal, and the price is reasonable if it gives Sony an advantage over other television manufacturers while keeping the technology off the market so that others can't eliminate the need for a console."

He also added that, he's not sure MS needs to respond to that deal because "they are making the [Xbox] console integral to the delivery of television content, so they have a different approach."

Well actually, here's the official MS "response" from a company spokesperson:

"The cloud has been a key component of our strategy and a big area of investment with Xbox for many years. Through Xbox LIVE we're serving up gaming and entertainment in the cloud to more than 40 million people," a spokesperson remarked.

Already serving up gaming and entertainment in the cloud? Probably, he's just referring to the Cloud saves service for Gold Members.

In any case, we all know Microsoft once considered buying OnLive as spotted on their recently leaked document. They also noted that, "streaming games and entertainment from the cloud will be a major feature of the 'Xbox 720' by 2015".

So, after Sony's deal, do you think MS should also go and get OnLive now?

NEWS SOURCE #1: Gaikai deal a strategic move-to-sell more Sony TVs says pachter (via) CVG
NEWS SOURCE #2: Microsoft reacts to Sony buying Gaikai cloud is a big area of investment for Xbox (via) GamesIndustry

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[JonathanD]

Well if they do add this tech to TV's it will make them even more expensive.... Not sure how that is going to fly with consumers, but my guess is that it's going to be a big no.

Sony, people just want a HD TV with inputs for cable TV (or FIOS or what ever sort of TV.) and an input for a BD player then last an input for a game system, and in that order of importance. Make it quality with 3 HDMI inputs a old input for old VCR's or old cable boxes then maybe out for surround sound. Make it cost competitive with other TV's, then and only then will you see sales start to pick up.

Sony's strategy of "Value Add" only works for people with tons of money or who really do need those extra features. Thats a dividing the market up before you even get it on the shelves at the store.

[billysastard]

Well if they do add this tech to TV's it will make them even more expensive.... Not sure how that is going to fly with consumers, but my guess is that it's going to be a big no.

Sony, people just want a HD TV with inputs for cable TV (or FIOS or what ever sort of TV.) and an input for a BD player then last an input for a game system, and in that order of importance. Make it quality with 3 HDMI inputs a old input for old VCR's or old cable boxes then maybe out for surround sound. Make it cost competitive with other TV's, then and only then will you see sales start to pick up.

Sony's strategy of "Value Add" only works for people with tons of money or who really do need those extra features. Thats a dividing the market up before you even get it on the shelves at the store.

if anything all this "added value" crap just puts me off because all it means is pay more for crap something else you own already does better.

do i really need my games console, my tv, my br player to offer multimedia streaming services? of my tv and br player to play "games"?

as for connections on a tv then an rf receiver even if outdated is a requirement for legacy / retro equipment as is a svga / dvi port, component, scart and composite, heck, a video out port it pretty useful too