Cloud gaming will eventually make its way to the PS5, but don't expect Sony to rush into a decision just because the Xbox Series X is already ahead of it

The news comes from PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, who admitted to The Nikkei that Sony is working on some form of cloud gaming integration, but has yet to reveal its plans But whatever the cloud brings to the PlayStation console will be "unique and only available on PlayStation"

Sony previously announced a "strategic partnership" with Microsoft in 2019, which will use Redmond's Azure cloud servers for cloud gaming and content streaming that the Japanese company may offer

However, with Microsoft extending cloud gaming coverage to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to iOS and Windows 10 users, Ryan said that to make a decision about what cloud gaming on PS5 will look like stated that now is not the right time

"We're still having conversations [with Microsoft] to exchange ideas We are still having conversations with them to exchange ideas, some very interesting ones, and when the time is right we will announce our cloud strategy"

"We could conceivably use the cloud for our technical infrastructure, but the cloud gaming experience we offer will be unique and only available on PlayStation

Ryan also remained tight-lipped about how cloud gaming would affect the release cycle of traditional consoles Apparently, it is difficult to say what will happen in the next six or seven years when the PS6 may be released It seems difficult to predict what will happen in the future, and it seems that we won't know more details until the end of the current console cycle

In any case, Ryan noted that he was told that the last generation would be the last involving stand-alone gaming consoles Naturally, that turned out to be wrong, and the PS5 is currently selling incredibly well, despite inventory shortages

So it is a bit premature to make predictions about the future Right now, Ryan is focused on finding out how people are enjoying the PS5 and how he can apply that to the future of PlayStation

Sony could possibly launch a game streaming service similar to Google Stadia or other platforms that play games on cloud servers However, Sony is also considering other ideas for what it could do

Something other than a straight Game Pass clone would help Sony and PS5 stay distinct from Microsoft's gaming division It is worth noting, however, that Game Pass has been a huge success and has become a must-have service for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S But then, building and procuring the infrastructure to deliver solid cloud-powered games could be a big job as well as a costly one

While Microsoft can offer game streaming thanks to its vast cloud infrastructure, Sony will likely need to use another company's system As noted earlier, Sony could use Microsoft's Azure cloud

Taking a different approach, such as mixing cloud elements with traditional console gaming, may be one way for Sony to pave its own cloud gaming path

While the PS5 will not lose the popularity contest, a unique hook regarding cloud gaming would be exactly what is needed to better compete However, it is not at all clear what such a service would look like Nevertheless, the cloud will likely play a role in the future of Sony's PlayStation in some form or another