Sony and NEC
announced today that they would be combining their optical drive businesses into one entity, dubbed Sony NEC Optiarc--a
joint venture benefitting both companies at the same time. So, how does this affect video games?The connection therein lies with next-generation formats. Sony is firmly embedded into the Blu-ray camp and is somewhat banking the success of the format with its upcoming PlayStation 3 console. NEC, however, supports HD DVD, so on which format will Optiarc focus? Our guess is Blu-ray, since Sony owns a majority (55%) and the joint venture is to be run by a Sony exec. This would be a major blow to the HD DVD camp, who might have just lost a major player.
[Via Engadget; Thanks, SuicideNinja]
