At the Game Developers Conference, Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox, outlined early details about the company’s next gaming platform, currently codenamed Project Helix.
The announcement comes as Xbox marks 25 years since the platform launched. According to the company, more than 5,000 developers worldwide are currently building games for Xbox.
Project Helix
Project Helix is being developed as the next first-party Xbox console. The system is designed to run both Xbox console titles and PC games. Xbox said the platform is intended to support future gaming technologies while expanding how games operate across multiple devices.
AMD partnership and hardware architecture
The next-generation console is being developed through a multi-year collaboration with AMD.
Project Helix will use a custom system-on-chip (SoC) built with AMD and designed alongside the next generation of DirectX and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR).
According to Xbox, the platform includes:
- An order-of-magnitude improvement in ray tracing performance and capability
- Intelligence integrated directly into graphics and compute pipelines
- Improvements in efficiency and system scale
These changes are intended to support more detailed rendering and simulation in future games.
Cross-device gaming and unified development
Xbox Play Anywhere
Xbox said it is working to reduce barriers between console and PC gaming to enable more seamless gameplay across devices. One part of this ecosystem is Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows players to purchase a supported game once and play it on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. The catalog now includes more than 1,500 games, with over 500 development teams having released titles under the program.
Xbox Mode for Windows 11
Xbox is also bringing elements of its gaming operating system into Windows 11. The feature, called Xbox Mode, provides a controller-optimized full-screen interface designed for gaming while allowing users to switch between productivity and play.
“We’re taking everything we’ve learned about building a leading gaming OS and bringing it directly into Windows for both players and developers,” said Jason Ronald.
An early version of the experience previously appeared on the ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices.
Upcoming game releases
Xbox said several titles will launch across its ecosystem this year. These include entries from established franchises such as Halo and Gears of War.
The company also referenced titles from partner studios including Crimson Desert developed by Pearl Abyss and Mixtape from Beethoven & Dinosaur.
Players will be able to access these games through purchases, subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass, or other supported storefronts.
Availability and rollout
Xbox confirmed that alpha versions of Project Helix hardware will be shipped to developers starting in 2027. The company also said Xbox Mode for Windows 11 will begin rolling out in April, starting in selected markets.
In addition, Xbox stated that games from four generations of Xbox consoles will continue to remain playable, and new ways to access some earlier titles will be introduced as part of the platform’s 25th anniversary later this year.
Outlook
Project Helix represents the next console platform currently under development for Xbox. The company said additional details about the next stage of its gaming roadmap will be shared later this year.