Sony’s network services have been on a bit of a roll. By now, we all know that PlayStation as a hardware is doing fine with over 40 million PS4’s sold to date – but the importance of Sony’s network services is perhaps even greater than the consoles they sell. That’s because long after Sony’s sells you a console, they still need to make money and network services are one such way. In fact, with PlayStation Vue, which recently surpassed 100,000 subscribers, the streaming TV app is actually available on more non-Sony devices.

As for PlayStation Plus, Sony is approaching 21 million paid subscribers. During Sony’s Investor Day Briefing, PlayStation executive Andrew House shared his thoughts on Microsoft’s Play Anywhere strategy which is similar to Apple’s policy which allows you to purchase an app once and have it available on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and even Sony’s own Cross-purchase initiative which would allow you to download a Vita version of a title if you purchase the equivalent game on PS3 or PS4. Sony also had Cross-play on a handful of titles.

 I always hesitate to be drawn into discussions on someone else’s strategy. I’m more than happy to talk about our own strategy… Yes, there was a big emphasis from the folks at Microsoft on Xbox and PC cross-play. It remains to be seen whether there is latent large consumer demand for that. 

This really shouldn’t be a surprise. Microsoft has a lot at stake with Windows which they fully control and have begun treating as a second console. Bringing Xbox games via cross-buy and cross-play is a no brainer and gives Microsoft something to fall back on with weak Xbox One sales. For Sony, let’s be honest, the Vita is dead and so there is no second device to bring the PlayStation experience to unless we look at Windows which is overly crowded with Steam, Origin, and now Microsoft offering ways to purchase and play games.

However, don’t think for a moment that Sony isn’t thinking about expanding the PlayStation gaming experience beyond consoles like Microsoft is. We only need to look at PlayStation Vue which brings a ‘PlayStation’ service to other devices, to see the future of PlayStation Now, which currently allows you to stream PS3 games. What’s to say that PlayStation Now doesn’t expand its functionality as networks mature and Sony’s backend improves to allow for the streaming of PS4 games?

Now, unlike Microsoft which is reliant on either Xbox consoles or PCs running Windows 10 with the latest service pack (which will become available in later summer), Sony can, like with PS Vue, bring their app to iOS and Android, giving them access to a billion+ devices and hundreds of millions of new users. It’s worth noting that PlayStation Now is already available on Sony’s entire 2015 and 2016 lineup of 4K TVs, Blu-ray players, and select Samsung TVs. All you need is a Dualshock 3 controller.

From where I’m sitting, the future of PlayStation is looking mighty bright if Sony executes things right.

Discuss:

Do you think Microsoft’s Play Anywhere initiative is a threat to Sony?

[Via Gamespot]