Microsoft has finally revealed a major secret that has long been awaited in the gaming industry. The company confirmed that the codename of its next-generation gaming console is “Project Helix”, and that the device will run both Xbox and PC games.
On Thursday, Microsoft’s gaming division shared a short teaser video featuring the “Project Helix” logo on its social media accounts. The news immediately became the focus of the gaming community’s attention.
Xbox’s new leader (CEO), Asha Sharma, said the following in a statement on the matter:
“We had a fantastic start to the day with Team Xbox. We discussed the return of Xbox, including our next-generation console, Project Helix. Project Helix will lead in performance and run both your Xbox and PC games.”
Sharma also noted that she would discuss the new device in greater detail with partners and studios during next week’s GDC (Game Developers Conference).
With this statement, Microsoft officially confirmed for the first time that the new console will be a hybrid PC device. In fact, rumors about this had begun circulating as early as October last year. Technology blogger Moore’s Law is Dead showcased the new Xbox’s processor and claimed that the device would also support PC games from other digital storefronts, such as Steam and Epic Games.
Former Xbox president Sarah Bond had also hinted in earlier interviews that the next console would follow logic similar to portable devices such as the Asus ROG Ally.
When will the new console be released?
Previously, Microsoft and Sony were expected to introduce their next-generation consoles in 2027. However, due to the global rise in chip and RAM prices, some experts believe this date could be delayed until 2028 or 2029.
Nevertheless, the fact that “Project Helix” will support PC games could give Xbox a competitive advantage.
