Microsoft Confirms New Xbox Console: It’s Called Project Helix and Will Run PC Games

Microsoft is starting to outline its next-generation Xbox strategy, with new gaming chief Asha Sharma teasing a powerful hybrid console called Project Helix. Sharma suggested the future device is designed to run both traditional Xbox titles and PC games, pointing towards a broader gaming platform.

The Project Helix teaser appeared on X, where Sharma confirmed the codename and hinted at its ambitions. On X, Sharma wrote that Project Helix was the codename of the next-generation Xbox and added, "Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games."

Next-generation Xbox Project Helix

Project Helix is expected to mark the fifth main generation of Xbox consoles, following the Xbox Series X and Series S models. Internal comments and industry reports point towards a device aimed at high performance while allowing players to access games across console and PC ecosystems.

Microsoft had already indicated that its incoming hardware would deliver a large performance upgrade over current machines. Xbox President Sarah Bond said late last year, "The largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation." This remark set expectations for a major jump in graphics and processing capability.

Ecosystem and Business Context

Reports suggest that Project Helix will be able to run PC titles from several digital stores, including Steam and the Epic Games Store. This would extend the Xbox library far beyond games bought through Microsoft’s own marketplace and would align with Sharma’s emphasis on cross-platform play.

Microsoft has been rethinking what an Xbox device represents, as Xbox Series hardware continues to trail Sony’s PS5 in sales. In 2025, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated he hoped to "revisit" the idea of having separate consoles and PCs. Nadella later said, "I kind of want to revisit some of that conventional wisdom".

The company’s recent moves show this shift in practice. Microsoft has brought the Xbox experience to portable hardware like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally series. Xbox Cloud Gaming also launched in India last year, allowing compatible devices to stream Xbox titles without needing a dedicated console.

Leadership changes underline the importance of Project Helix for Microsoft Gaming. Asha Sharma became CEO of Microsoft Gaming after Phil Spencer retired, ending a 38-year career at the company. Sharma shared the Project Helix teaser not long after taking over the role, signalling focus on the next hardware cycle.

Microsoft has not confirmed a launch window for the next-gen Xbox, but AMD CEO Lisa Su has said a new Xbox console using an AMD semi-custom SoC is scheduled for release in 2027. Asha Sharma is due to attend the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this month, where more details about Project Helix may emerge.