According to SEGA, its deal with Redmond to create a next-gen development environment (called Super Game) using Azure technology does not necessarily mean that the Japanese publisher will produce Xbox exclusives for Phil Spencer.

We previously reported that SEGA and Microsoft had entered into a strategic partnership agreement. Given that the ‘greens’ have recently been expanding their Xbox Game Studios team (which now includes Bethesda and all its studios) and that the Spencer-led team have been spending a lot of money on exclusive deals (they have a lot to spend; after all, Microsoft has an unlimited source of money from the Windows and Office product lines), it’s no wonder that many people were sceptical about the deal.

VGC has obtained some documents that SEGA has produced in connection with its latest financial report. The Japanese company told its investors that Microsoft’s entry into the picture does not automatically mean exclusive titles for them. “We already have a very close business relationship with Microsoft. We outsourced the development of their large-scale titles, and as a third party, we are supplying a variety of titles.

When we announced the concept of Super Game, Microsoft was sympathetic to that vision, which led to the announcement this time. About this, we are not talking about releasing games to Microsoft exclusively, but rather to develop Super Game that will be delivered to the world together, with their technical support,” SEGA wrote. Microsoft wants to see unique experiences thanks to its cloud technology, and since the Redmond-based company has made its mark on the cloud lately (e.g. Xbox Cloud Gaming, available with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription; now we can play Xbox Series titles on Xbox One and Xbox Series from the cloud!), it is understandable.

But we still doubt that rethinking the way games are built with the cloud will be feasible. Time will tell.

Source: PSL