The next Xbox will apparently be more than just a console. According to reports, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma explained in more detail what's next for Project Helix during an internal town hall meeting with employees – and she also shared some figures on the current state of the Xbox business. These statements come from a Windows Central report, which was also covered by VGC, among others.
What Does 'Family of Devices' Mean for Project Helix?
"We are moving to a family of devices for Gen 10," Sharma reportedly said. "There isn't one device that fits everyone." First, there will be a "great console," but they also know that many players want to play on the go. This is a clear hint at a possible handheld variant. This is not confirmed – Sharma only spoke generally of "devices."
Her statement on manufacturing is also interesting: there are things Microsoft can produce best globally, and others where they will work with partners. She did not name specific partners or devices. So we'll have to wait and see whether proprietary hardware, partner devices, or both end up on shelves.
There was also a comment on the operating system: it's "slowly looking really good." The Xbox Series X/S visually and conceptually still heavily relied on the Xbox One. So the new system could come with a fresher interface.
According to Sharma, How Is the Xbox Business Doing?
Sharma reportedly told employees that Xbox saw declines in playtime, player numbers, and revenue at the start of the year. Since then, playtime has stabilized, and the first-party sector has "returned to growth" – "more than two to three times as much as before." What this means in absolute figures remains open. She cited Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and World of Warcraft Forever as strong starts. Positive brand perception has risen by 30 percent within a year.
According to Sharma, the previous Game Pass strategy sent Xbox into a "freefall." In the future, Game Pass could become "more flexible for more players." For context: In July, Xbox saw widespread layoffs (initially 1,600 positions), followed by a second wave last month with another 268. Additionally, Rare, World’s Edge, and the Halo brand are moving to Activision, Obsidian is being integrated into Bethesda, and Turn 10 and Playground Games are set to merge.
What Does This Mean for Players?
From our perspective, the message is: Xbox wants to broaden its hardware future while simultaneously showing that the restructuring is bearing fruit. As players, however, you should read these figures with caution – they come from an internal meeting, without concrete values. For Helix: As soon as Microsoft officially announces devices and dates, we'll know more. Until then, it remains a console "first" and many open questions.
What do you expect from Project Helix – a pure console or a true handheld? Let us know in the comments!
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