The ‘power of the cloud’ has been quoted numerous times by both Microsoft and Sony as we get closer to the launch of the Xbox One and PS4. Much of the debate has focused on Microsoft’s assertion that the cloud will make the Xbox One noticeably more powerful, but many have disputed it, while Sony has said that it is possible, but limited. Meanwhile, other important cloud features include Microsoft’s cheap dedicated servers for developers – which we want on PS4 – cloud saves, and, of course, Sony’s Gaikai cloud game streaming.

So, as you can see, ‘the cloud’ will be very important next gen, which is why today’s news that PSLS has uncovered is so interesting.

Rackspace – the open cloud company that recently announced plans to partner with CERN on cloud computing – will be helping Sony out with their PlayStation cloud plans.

Lanham Napier, CEO of Rackspace, said in an earnings call (transcribed by SeekingAlpha) that Sony is now an “enterprise customer” for the company, continuing:

Sony PlayStation recently signed a services agreement with Rackspace, under which our developers and architects will be consulting and supporting the PlayStation team with their OpenStack private cloud deployment.

Elsewhere he said:

We are the Founder and a key leader of the OpenStack cloud ecosystem, and we are the leader in providing OpenStack-based private clouds.

OpenStack is a cloud computing project to “provide an infrastructure as a service”, jointly created by Rackspace and NASA, with it’s website saying:

OpenStack is a global collaboration of developers and cloud computing technologists producing the ubiquitous open source cloud computing platform for public and private clouds. The project aims to deliver solutions for all types of clouds by being simple to implement, massively scalable, and feature rich.

The scale of Sony’s cloud plans have yet to be seen, but are you excited that Sony is bringing on one of the cloud industry’s best companies to help? Let us know in the comments below.