Project Helix will put a console first in a family of Xbox devices, while Microsoft is also considering players who game on the go. In an internal town hall transcript obtained by Windows Central, CEO Asha Sharma said, “We will certainly have a great console first, but we also know that many players will be on the go.” Portable play is on Microsoft’s radar, but Sharma did not confirm a Helix handheld.
Sharma said Microsoft would manufacture some things itself and partner on others. She also said the operating system was starting to look good. Game Pass, meanwhile, would become “flexible for more players,” though she did not specify what that would mean.
A console-first plan gives the word “family” a clearer starting point, but not a full product lineup. Microsoft has not named the devices, shown their designs, or confirmed their specifications, price, or release date. The current Xbox generation’s Series X and Series S offer a performance and price split, but Microsoft has not said whether Helix will include successors to either model.
Microsoft confirmed in March 2026 that Project Helix will play both Xbox and PC games, and said developer hardware would begin reaching teams in 2027. The hybrid direction could blur the line between a traditional Xbox console and a Windows gaming PC. Xbox has not explained how PC game support will work, including which storefronts or Windows features may be available. The Project Helix overview collects the public details announced so far.
Sharma also left The Elder Scrolls 6’s console status unresolved during a BBC News interview. She did not confirm an Xbox console exclusive, saying instead that every platform needs some form of exclusive experience.
Affordability was another focus of the interview. Sharma said Microsoft wants to keep pushing performance while giving people more choice in how they play and buy their consoles. She pointed to smartphone purchasing habits as a possible model for making next-generation hardware more accessible.
Rising component costs have put pressure on consumer electronics prices. Microsoft has announced plans to raise Xbox Series S and Series X prices by up to $150, while also offering affordability programs through Microsoft Stores, including Buy Now, Pay Later options. In June, Sharma said it was becoming difficult to imagine mass audiences spending thousands of dollars on a console generation. Microsoft has not announced a Project Helix price or payment plan.
Would a console-first Helix family with portable play in view make the lineup more appealing to you? Follow the story as Microsoft fills in the device and Game Pass plans on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
