Microsoft has revealed the first information about the next generation Xbox game console codenamed Project Helix, showing its ambition to create a more flexible gaming platform, combining the experience between a console (specialized game console on TV or screen) and a PC.
The information was announced by Asha Sharma, who has just been appointed CEO of Microsoft's game division.
In a recent social media post, she said the company has begun discussions with the development team and partners about the future of Xbox, in which Project Helix is seen as an important part of the long-term strategy.
Xbox and PC hybrid gaming platform
According to Microsoft, Project Helix will focus strongly on hardware performance, while expanding the scope of games that users can access.
This game console is designed to support not only Xbox games but also the ability to run traditional PC game content.
This approach shows that Microsoft is looking to narrow the gap between consoles and personal computers.
Instead of just an independent gaming device as before, the new generation Xbox could become a more flexible platform, allowing players to access a vast game library across multiple ecosystems.
In a notice posted on the official Xbox account, the company also confirmed the code name Project Helix, affirming that this is the next important step in the hardware development process of this game console line.
Reaffirming the role of Xbox hardware
After taking over the game division at Microsoft, Asha Sharma repeatedly emphasized the goal of bringing Xbox back to the central position in the company's development strategy.
In one of the first internal messages sent to employees, Ms. Sharma described the return of Xbox as one of the top priorities.
According to Ms. Sharma, although the game industry is shifting strongly to a multi-platform model, including cloud gaming, PC and mobile phones, the game console still plays an important role in the identity of the Xbox brand.
For many years, Xbox hardware has been seen as a factor helping Microsoft build its position in the global game industry. However, the company also admits that modern games are no longer associated with a single device.
In fact, Microsoft has begun to expand its game publishing strategy to many different platforms. Some Xbox exclusive games have now appeared on competing consoles, showing the company's more open orientation in approaching players.
No official launch date yet
Currently, Microsoft has not announced a specific release date for Project Helix. However, many industry sources say that hardware partners are preparing technology to serve the new generation Xbox, which is likely to be launched at the end of this decade.
More details may be announced soon when Jason Ronald, Xbox's technical leader, is expected to speak at a game conference in the near future. The presentation will focus on the direction of building a more connected game ecosystem between developers and players.
If successful, Project Helix could mark a major shift for Xbox from a traditional game console to a multi-device entertainment platform, where the boundary between consoles and PCs is increasingly blurred.
