Xbox CEO: Project Helix Is a Family of Devices
▼ Summary
– Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Project Helix, Microsoft’s next-generation console, will be a family of devices rather than a single unit.
– This clarification came after rumors suggested the device might be discless, though Sharma did not explicitly confirm this detail during her BBC News interview.
– Microsoft and AMD have a strategic partnership to develop a portfolio of devices, which likely includes the various Project Helix consoles.
– Rumors indicate that third-party manufacturers may also sell their own versions of Project Helix devices alongside the first-party Xbox console.
– The launch of Project Helix is expected around 2027, as indicated by recent comments from AMD and Xbox executive Jason Ronald.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has clarified that Project Helix will not be a single hardware unit, but rather a broad “family” of devices. This statement corrects the impression created when she first introduced the codename in March as Microsoft’s “next generation console,” a phrase that suggested a solitary machine. Speaking to BBC News, Sharma confirmed the broader scope of the initiative.
“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,” Sharma told BBC News. She offered this clarification while responding to inquiries about whether the upcoming hardware would include an optical disc drive. While she did not explicitly confirm or deny the presence of a disc slot, Microsoft recently unveiled a separate program designed to help users digitize their physical game collections, hinting at a shift toward digital-first ownership models.
The architecture behind these new devices is being shaped by a deep collaboration with AMD. In 2025, the two tech giants announced a “strategic multi-year partnership” focused on developing “a portfolio of devices.” This agreement explicitly includes Microsoft’s future console, suggesting that AMD is involved in crafting the entire spectrum of Helix hardware rather than just one model. Industry speculation has long suggested that third-party manufacturers might produce their own versions of Project Helix systems. Jason Ronald, Xbox’s Vice President of Next Generation, addressed this possibility indirectly by stating that “Project Helix will be available as a 1st party Xbox console.” His phrasing left room for the existence of other variants without confirming them outright.
Regarding the release timeline, details remain scarce. AMD executives hinted in February that they would be prepared to support a launch of Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox in 2027. This aligns with comments made by Jason Ronald at a conference in March, where he noted that the project would not reach its alpha testing phase until that same year. The new hardware is also expected to maintain backward compatibility with PC games, further blurring the lines between traditional gaming consoles and personal computers.
(Source: The Verge)
