Microsoft’s next Xbox console is Project Helix, and it will run PC games too

Project Helix could blur the line between PC and console gaming.

By Vikhyaat Vivek Published March 5, 2026

Xbox Console Green Image — Billy Freeman / Unsplash

Microsoft has hinted at the future of gaming with Xbox after confirming the codename for its next-gen console. Project Helix was revealed in a recent tweet by Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, who offered an early glimpse at the company’s upcoming hardware plans.

In her post on X (formerly Twitter), Sharma said that Microsoft has discussed its “commitment to the return of Xbox” and confirmed that Project Helix codename for the next-gen Xbox console.

A console that can also run PC games

One of the most notable details from the announcement is that Project Helix will support both Xbox and PC games. Sharma said the upcoming system will “lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games,” hinting at a new hybrid approach over traditional console gaming with the flexibility of a PC. While the gap between Xbox and Windows has narrowed in recent years, this is the first gaming system to combine the two platforms.

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If this vision holds true, Project Helix could further blur the line between consoles and PCs. Microsoft has already been moving in that direction with its Xbox Play Anywhere and deeper integration between Windows and the Xbox ecosystem.

More details expected at GDC

Sharma also revealed that more information about the next-gen Xbox will arrive soon, adding that she’s looking forward to discussing the console with partners and studios at the upcoming GDC event (Game Developers Conference). For now, finer details remain scarce, and Microsoft has yet to reveal specifications, pricing or a release window for Project Helix.

However, the announcement does make it clear that the brand is still committed to the console market, and the next generation could bring a much tighter integration between Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems. If Microsoft delivers on that promise, Project Helix could represent one of the biggest shifts in Xbox hardware strategy yet.

Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, with a focus on…

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