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Microsoft CEO reveals next Xbox could be a 'family of devices'
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Olhar Digital
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Microsoft CEO reveals next Xbox could be a 'family of devices'

Microsoft's future console may transcend the idea of a single device. The company is developing Project Helix, the name given to the brand's next generation of hardware, conceived as a 'family of devices,' according to Asha Sharma, CEO of the Xbox division.

Initially, Sharma presented Project Helix in March as the codename for Microsoft's 'next-generation console,' suggesting it was a singular product. However, the executive now signals that the project's scope will be much broader.

In conversation with BBC News, Sharma stated: 'We have been working hard on a great next generation and a great family of devices for Helix, and we will share more soon.' This statement came after she was questioned about the possibility of Helix being a disc-less console, which she chose not to answer directly.

The prospect of multiple devices is reinforced by recent actions from Microsoft. This week, the company launched a program to convert physical Xbox games into digital formats, allowing users to access certain titles without needing to insert the disc.

Jason Ronald, Xbox Vice President in charge of the next generation, did not rule out this possibility. Addressing the topic, Ronald mentioned that 'Project Helix will be available as a standalone Xbox console,' leaving open the interpretation that other types of equipment will also be part of this project.

Features and Strategy of Project Helix

Another distinctive aspect of Project Helix is its ability to run games developed for PCs. Microsoft had already announced that its next Xbox would have the functionality to run computer games, further narrowing the relationship between the two platforms.

This approach could mean a substantial change in how Microsoft positions the Xbox. Instead of focusing the new generation on an isolated traditional console, the company appears to be preparing a platform capable of appearing in various hardware formats.

However, there is no concrete information yet about what these devices will be or if there will be noticeable differences between them. Microsoft has also not released an official launch date for Project Helix.

In February, shortly before Asha Sharma unexpectedly took the lead of Xbox, AMD indicated that it was prepared to support the launch of the next-generation Xbox in 2027. A month later, during a conference, Jason Ronald specified that Project Helix would only reach the alpha phase in 2027. This suggests that the commercial launch may still take time and that many details of the project may undergo modifications before Microsoft officially reveals the devices.

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Xbox CEO Asha Sharma comments on the possibility of physical media in Project Helix
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tecnoblog.net

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma comments on the possibility of physical media in Project Helix

Microsoft's current head of the Xbox division, Asha Sharma, acknowledged the strong negative sentiment generated by competitor Sony's decision to abandon physical media on PlayStation. This raises the question of whether the next iteration of Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will include disc games. Although there is no definitive confirmation yet, Sharma indicated that this option is being considered.

Recently, Microsoft announced that Xbox One or Xbox Series X users could purchase digital versions of titles that originally had discs. Some interpret this as a subtle sign of a future transition to an Xbox ecosystem without the need for physical media. However, the final decision on this point has not yet been made.

In an interview with the BBC, Sharma addressed Sony's decision, suggesting that both formats—physical media games and digital versions—will remain available for Xbox players. She stated: 'I know that players love physical media and I know there are many benefits to digital media, and I want to ensure that people have a choice.' She added that, given the large volume of games on shelves, the company is announcing the possibility that players with 1,000 physical disc titles could access their digital version.

This statement points to the inclusion of physical media in Project Helix. However, during the same conversation, the executive mentioned that Microsoft's primary goals for the new Xbox generation are to balance accessibility (cost) and performance. This implies that physical media could be dispensed with in favor of these factors.

Sharma highlighted the company's history, saying: 'We have always been pioneers in backward compatibility, and you will continue to see that in future generations.' But she added that in this next generation, it is crucial to focus on 'efficiency and affordable price, in addition to performance.'

This discourse aligns with Microsoft's recent efforts to persuade game studios to allow compatibility of Xbox (original), Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S titles with Project Helix. Despite this, there is a high probability that this compatibility will be offered exclusively in digital format.

Despite this, Sharma maintained ambiguity, without confirming whether Project Helix will or will not have support for physical media. The reason for this caution may be that even the leaders of the Xbox division do not have a concrete answer. Sources close to Microsoft, cited by the BBC, indicated that the decrease in the production of optical disc units has increased the cost of this component, which worries the company.

There is a remote possibility that Microsoft might follow the Nintendo model, making games available on cartridges. The obstacle here is that the costs of the Flash memories used in these cartridges are also constantly rising.

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