Project Helix Will Be More Than Just a Console, It Will Be a Family of Devices

Microsoft didn’t make a major announcement about next-generation Xbox hardware during Gamescom 2026, but the company’s statements provided significant clues about the scope of Project Helix. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the team is working on a “great family of devices” for the next generation. This statement reinforced expectations that Project Helix might be more than just a classic home console.

Project Helix Could Encompass Multiple Xbox Devices

Sharma stated that Microsoft will continue to push the boundaries of performance in the next generation and aims to allow players to play PC games alongside console games on Xbox hardware. She also emphasized that the industry needs to innovate more in terms of price and efficiency due to rising hardware and component costs. This approach suggests offering different options instead of a single high-priced model.

The phrase “device family” naturally brings back the possibility of two different models, similar to the Xbox Series X and Series S. Under the Project Helix umbrella, a more affordable and lower-performance option could be prepared alongside a powerful main console. However, it’s also possible that Microsoft is re-evaluating its previously developed portable Xbox plans. The company hasn’t yet confirmed any form factor.

Microsoft’s approach to exclusive games remains unclear, as does its hardware strategy. Sharma stated that every platform needs a certain amount of exclusive content, citing titles like Gears and Clockwork as examples. Despite this, he didn’t give a clear answer to the question of whether The Elder Scrolls 6 will be an Xbox exclusive. It seems the company is trying to strike a balance between its desire to reach as wide an audience as possible with major games and the need for platform-exclusive content.

One of the first signs of this shift on the Xbox side may also be evident in Forza Horizon 6. It’s rumored that the PlayStation 5 version of the game has been delayed from 2026 to 2027, but this information is also not yet official. Regarding Project Helix, the most concrete statement so far suggests that Microsoft is preparing a next-generation Xbox ecosystem encompassing multiple hardware devices rather than a single device. We’ll have to wait for the company’s official announcement to find out what these devices will be.

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