Xbox teases next console, dubbed Project Helix

Xbox has given fans a first glimpse into its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix.

Though the official name has yet to be announced, a teaser trailer was posted on Xbox’s official social media account, where the codename, logo and some information were revealed.

More details were shared in a separate post by Asha Sharma, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, who confirmed rumours that the next console will play both Xbox and PC games.

“Great start to the morning with Team Xbox,” Sharma wrote online. “Where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox, including Project Helix, the code name for our next generation console.

“Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games. Looking forward to chatting about this more with partners and studios at my first GDC next week!”

Details surrounding the console, including hardware, games, price, and release date, have yet to be revealed as of this writing.

It is not the first time Xbox has sought to combine PC and console gaming into a singular device. Handheld console ROG Xbox Ally supported running PC games through Steam in addition to Xbox titles.

One of Project Helix’s main selling points is the promise of playing PC games, allowing console players to play PC-exclusive esports titles, such as Counter-Strike 2, if access to PC clients and platforms like Steam is possible. This will open up competitive games to more players, and potentially bring attention to their respective esports scenes as a result.

However, whether Project Helix will be used in professional play remains to be seen. PC has been the main platform for many tournaments, such as League of Legends Worlds, Rainbow Six’s Six Invitational, The International, and other global events. Additionally, many professional players value performance, and consoles have historically struggled to keep pace with high-end PC’s.

Peripherals are also a vital aspect of esports, as most competitive titles often see players use a mouse and keyboard as opposed to controllers. There are some exceptions where the controller is preferred, such as the FGC scene. As it stands, Xbox consoles such as the Series X/S have mouse and keyboard support only for a selection of supported games.

Only time will tell what Project Helix offers to the gaming scene, and whether it will be used at the highest level of play.