Project Helix: New Xbox plays PC and console games

The new Xbox generation is being developed under the codename “Project Helix”: The new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is beginning her new term with a major announcement. The new console is said to play PC titles in addition to Xbox games, Sharma confirmed. Corresponding hints have been around for months.

Sharma's X post is more of a teaser than a full announcement of Microsoft's next-gen console. It is at least a confirmation that a new Xbox is indeed coming to market – Microsoft has experienced a mixed console generation with the Series X/S and has recently focused more on game publishing than hardware sales. Accordingly, some fans had feared that there would be no new Xbox at all.

The Xbox as a real PC

However, the concept that Sharma has now confirmed has always been more likely: An Xbox that is, in a sense, also a real PC. While the current Xbox technically runs on a Windows operating system, it can only natively play Xbox games. Project Helix can therefore massively expand both the game selection and the usage scenarios compared to the current Xbox – and would have a clear added value over the PlayStation. Additionally, the Xbox would compete with gaming PCs and the Steam Machine.

The disadvantage for Microsoft: It loses some control over the Xbox ecosystem, especially since independent PC stores like Steam, GOG, or Epic Games are likely to be supported. If players buy their games through these stores, Microsoft would not receive a direct commission, unlike with the Xbox Store.

Sharma has not yet confirmed that the upcoming Xbox will actually be open to other PC stores. However, it is considered likely because Microsoft is already working with operators of alternative stores for its handheld PC Xbox Ally. And if the next Xbox is indeed launched with a full Windows operating system, modders will likely find a way to bypass any restrictions anyway.

Chip from AMD

Otherwise, not much is known about the upcoming Xbox yet. What is clear, however, is that the chip will again come from AMD: Both companies extended their partnership last summer. AMD CEO Lisa Su recently said that AMD is ready to supply the chips for a possible next-gen Xbox release in 2027. However, it is unclear whether Microsoft's next console will actually be released next year – the memory crisis currently makes it extremely difficult to purchase components for gaming hardware at reasonable prices.

Sharma's announcement is also interesting in light of a strategic shift by Sony: The PlayStation manufacturer recently decided, according to a Bloomberg report, not to release its own productions on PC anymore. The Japanese may want to prevent future own productions like “Wolverine” and the next “God of War” installment from being playable on an Xbox in the future.

(dahe)