- New details have been revealed about the upcoming Xbox console, Project Helix
- Microsoft says alpha versions of the hardware will be available to developers in 2027
- It also says it’s “committed to keeping games from four generations of Xbox playable for years to come.”
Microsoft has shared new details about its next-generation Xbox console, Project Helix, and confirmed that it will be in the hands of developers sooner than expected.
At GDC 2026, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s vice president of next generation, gave a 30-minute keynote that offered a deeper look at the upcoming Xbox console, including its hardware specifications.
While there’s no official release date for Project Helix yet, he confirmed that alpha builds of the console will be shipping to game studios next year as he pivots toward the “future of gaming” and player behavior, adding that “The days of people defining themselves as a (console/PC/mobile gamer) are gone” (thanks, IGN).
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“I’m excited to share that we plan to ship alpha versions of the hardware to developers starting in 2027,” Ronald said in the official Xbox Wire post.
Since alpha versions will be available starting next year, it will most likely be a while before the console is in the hands of consumers.
Following Microsoft’s retirement of former Xbox Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, who was replaced by Asha Sharma last month, the original Xbox co-founder has said he believes Microsoft’s continued AI push will eventually see the end of Xbox gaming as we know it, despite Sharma’s promises that they will see “the return of Xbox.”
Now, Microsoft has put those rumors to rest as it plans for the future, and boss Satya Nadella responded to that concern last week by insisting that the company has “been in games for a long time.”
Ronald also shared a similar statement about the future of Xbox in his post, saying, “We’re committed to keeping games from four generations of Xbox playable for years to come. As part of our 25th anniversary later this year, we’ll be rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past.”
Project Helix was announced earlier this month and there are already rumors that the console could “probably” cost $1,000 or more, similar to the price of the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld.
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