In a nutshell

• Project Helix Revealed: The next-generation Xbox hardware is officially codenamed Project Helix and will utilize a custom AMD “Magnus” SoC.
• PC-Xbox Hybrid: The console will feature an “Xbox Full Screen Experience” but will allow users to access a Windows desktop and install third-party stores like Steam and Epic Games Store.
• CEO Reaffirmation: Incoming CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the project, emphasizing a “commitment to the return of Xbox” with a focus on performance and ecosystem flexibility.

Microsoft has officially pulled back the curtain on its future hardware plans, revealing that the next-generation Xbox is currently in development under the codename Project Helix.

The news comes directly from newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who took to social media to reaffirm the company’s commitment to first-party hardware following the retirement of Phil Spencer. Project Helix is being positioned not just as a traditional console, but as a high-performance hybrid capable of bridging the gap between the Xbox ecosystem and the open nature of PC gaming.

A New Era Under Project Helix

While the “Helix” name is strictly a codename, following the tradition of previous projects like Anaconda (Xbox Series X), the ambitions behind it represent a significant shift for Microsoft.

Project Helix is reportedly built on AMD’s hybrid PC-Xbox system-on-a-chip (SoC), codenamed “Magnus.” This hardware foundation is intended to power a device that runs both native Xbox console titles and standard PC games, unlike a purely Xbox Console like the Series X and Xbox One.

Reports suggest the device will function similarly to the ROG Xbox Ally handheld, using a “Full Screen Experience” as its primary interface while keeping the Windows backend accessible for those who want a full desktop environment.

Xbox Meets PC

The most striking feature of Project Helix is its ability to support a variety of PC storefronts. This means users could access their libraries on Steam, GOG, Battle.net, and the Epic Games Store directly from their Xbox hardware.

The ROG Xbox Ally was said to be an early look, and it’ll be interesting to see how this will translate to the next-generation Xbox.