Xbox Helix will be “a great console first”, but “not one device”
Xbox Helix will be a “family of devices”, not a singular console
Xbox’s CEO, Asha Sharma, has reportedly confirmed to staff that its “Gen-10” Xbox will be “a family of devices”, not a single console or device. Xbox “Project Helix” will “have a great console first”, but Microsoft’s plans do not end there.
According to Windows Central, which has a verified transcript of an Xbox internal town hall, Xbox will manufacture some of its next-gen products itself and partner with other companies for others. We have already had a glimpse of what this may look like with ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. There are also rumours that MSI and ASUS ROG plan to make versions of Xbox’s “Project Helix” systems.
While Sharma didn’t use the word “handheld” or “portable”, it is worth noting that handhelds are already part of the Xbox family. Furthermore, Microsoft’s push for Xbox Play Anywhere titles implies that Microsoft wants to push its PC handheld plans further.
We are moving to a family of devices for Gen-10. There is not one device that fits all. We will certainly have a great console first, but we also know that many players will be on the go. There are some things that we are the best in the world to manufacture, and there are other things that will we partner on. So, we will be sharing more about that as our plans develop. The operating system is starting to look really good. We’re very excited about this.
– Xbox CEO Asha Sharma
Xbox may not be planning to build a Nintendo Switch-like or PSP/PS Vita-style Xbox handheld. Regardless, handheld gaming could be a big part of Xbox’s future with Xbox-branded PC handhelds. This move could let Xbox benefit from a wider range of devices, delivering more affordable handheld options as well as products with more cutting-edge gaming hardware. That said, Xbox needs to deliver a console-like user experience with these devices, as PC gaming handhelds can be harder to work with than traditional consoles.
Join the discussion on Xbox’s plans for Project Helix on the OC3D Forums.
