Written by Andy….
Microsoft has revealed more about the future of Xbox, confirming that its next-generation platform, codenamed Project Helix, is being developed as a “family of devices.”
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma discussed the company’s plans during an interview with the BBC, saying:
“We’ve been hard at work on a great next generation and a great family of devices for Helix, and we’ll share more soon.”
Microsoft has not revealed exactly what those devices will be, but the statement confirms that Project Helix is broader than the development of a single piece of hardware.
What Microsoft has confirmed
Project Helix was first detailed at GDC in March 2026. Microsoft confirmed that its next-generation console will be capable of running both Xbox and PC games, bringing the two libraries together on one system.
The company also said that Project Helix development hardware is due to reach game developers in 2027.
During her latest interview, Sharma said Xbox will continue to improve performance while also concentrating on affordability and efficiency.
“We will of course continue to push the boundaries of performance,” Sharma said. “We’ve talked about being able to not only play your console games, but also play your PC games on your console.”
She added that the industry needs to find new ways to give consumers affordable hardware choices as component costs increase.
“With the crisis that’s currently happening in hardware and components, it is absolutely something all of us need to be thinking about and innovating on and giving people more choice in terms of how they play their console and how they purchase their console.”
Microsoft recently increased the prices of its Xbox Series S and Series X consoles by as much as $150 in the United States. The company has also introduced payment options through Microsoft Stores intended to make the hardware more accessible.
What remains unknown
Microsoft has not confirmed how many Project Helix devices it plans to release.
There are currently no confirmed specifications, prices, designs or release dates. Microsoft has also not said whether the family will include traditional consoles, handheld systems, licensed third-party hardware or different versions of the same core machine.
Any claim about the exact form of the Project Helix range would therefore be speculation at this stage.
The Wildstar view
Based on what Microsoft has officially announced, it appears that Xbox is being developed as a broader hardware ecosystem rather than simply repeating the traditional console-generation model.
That conclusion comes from three confirmed decisions: Project Helix is being described as a family of devices, the next console will support both Xbox and PC games, and Microsoft says it wants to offer consumers more choice in how they play and purchase its hardware.
A range of devices could allow Microsoft to serve players with different budgets and performance requirements. However, that will only work if the company explains the differences clearly. Multiple hardware options could improve accessibility, but they could also make purchasing decisions more complicated if specifications, compatibility and expected performance are not easy to understand.
Xbox therefore has two challenges. It must build hardware capable of advancing the platform while ensuring that ordinary players can still afford to buy it.
For now, the important confirmed development is that Project Helix is not being presented as one conventional console. Microsoft is building a family of next-generation Xbox devices, with further details promised in the future.