Is a collaboration request from Microsoft genuine?

At least it's great to see Microsoft and Nintendo collaborating for the first time.

MS are doing a lot to save face atm. Can't blame them really, their reputation is down the toilet:

www.guardian.co.uk/.../microsoft-nsa-collaboration-user-data

I am hoping to hear more on a collaboration between Nintendo and Microsoft

Microsoft's Alleged Collaboration with NSA Surveillance Programs Detailed

Company reportedly provided encryption workarounds for Skype, Hotmail, SkyDrive, and other services.



by Scott LoweJuly 11, 2013



Microsoft's participation in the NSA's surveillance programs may be more extensive than previously thought. New documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden obtained by The Guardian claim that Microsoft has worked with US intelligence agencies to provide
streamlined access to its services, including Outlook.com, Hotmail, Skype, SkyDrive, and more. Over the last three years, Microsoft has reportedly assisted the FBI and NSA in encryption bypassing its products' encryption that would otherwise prevent the interception
of web chats, emails, and user data. Most notably, the company allowed the agencies to collect video and audio from conversations made through Skype, which it acquired in 2011.



Although Xbox products and services were not mentioned, it stands to reason that Microsoft's gaming business would not be immune to government intelligence requests.



Microsoft, along with other tech giants like Google and Apple, were implicated last month when the NSA's PRISM surveillance and data collection program was first revealed. Microsoft denied having any prior knowledge of the program. The company has, however,
acknowledged that it provides user data on per-request basis, as required by law. It refutes providing any open-ended access to its servers or user data.



While the report doesn't completely disprove Microsoft's previous public statements, it does reveal the lengths it has gone to to adhere to the government's domestic and international surveillance efforts. For a more detailed account of Microsoft's alleged
intelligence collaboration, check out The Guardian.



www.ign.com/.../microsofts-alleged-collaboration-with-nsa-surveillance-programs-detailed

If Microsoft were genuine they would have reached sony/nintendo in private and make this a collaborative announcement.

makes me think there is a few devils in the details and they are pulling a publicity stunt to strong arm sony into agreeing to lopsided/controled deal

Sony already has 2 crossplay games with wii u

here is 1

en.wikipedia.org/.../Pure_Chess

Microsoft has almost always been the bottleneck here.

360 had crossplay with ps2 for an mmo but Microsoft changed its tune soon after

love how all of a sudden they are the "enablers"