Xbox has stepped in to clear up confusion around Project Helix, its next-generation console. After rumors suggested a major change in strategy, the company has now made its position clear. Jason Ronald, Vice President of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, confirmed that Project Helix will be a first-party console sold directly by Microsoft.
He stated, “Project Helix will be available as a 1st party Xbox console.” This directly responds to recent claims that Microsoft might stop making its own hardware and instead rely on partners like ASUS or MSI. One rumor from leaker Kepler L2 said, “It won’t be sold directly to consumers, but you will be able to buy an ASUS/MSI/etc Helix machine.” Microsoft has now denied that idea and confirmed it will continue building its own consoles.
Even so, the company has not fully ruled out working with partners. There is still a chance that OEM versions could exist in the future, but Microsoft plans to remain a full hardware manufacturer. This means the main Xbox console will still come directly from Microsoft, just like previous generations.
Project Helix is expected to be a hybrid system, designed to bring console and PC gaming closer together. It will support both Xbox and PC games, while also offering a unified gaming experience. The system may include a new dashboard that gives full-screen access to platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. It’s also worth noting that this idea of combining a console and PC is not entirely new, as Microsoft originally planned the first Xbox as a PC-like system before hardware limits forced a different approach
As for timing, alpha dev kits are expected in 2027, with a possible launch window around late 2027 or 2028. While many details are still unknown, it is now clear that Project Helix will remain a true Xbox console. For more Xbox related coverage, keep checking GameObserver.
