Microsoft confirms Project Helix, the next-gen Xbox console

After a great upheaval Within Microsoft’s gaming division, the new boss of Xbox had a big announcement to make on Thursday.

New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma blew the lid off the next-gen Xbox gaming console in an X post. Sharma confirmed that the new Xbox gaming console is codenamed Project Helix.

“Great start to the morning with the Xbox team, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox, including Project Helix, the code name for our next-gen console,” Sharma job accompanied by an image showing the words “Project Helix” on a black background.

Does it look a bit like an X?
Credit: Microsoft

Project Helix would be the fifth generation Xbox.

Although she hasn’t delved into details yet, Sharma did share one important feature for the next-gen console: gamers will be able to play both Xbox and PC games on the Project Helix console. This confirms some long-standing rumors regarding the console.

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“Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games,” she said. “I look forward to discussing this further with partners and studios at my first GDC next week!”

When Mashable spoke to then-Xbox president Sarah Bond last year, Bond hinted that the Xbox console of the future would look more like a high-end gaming PC than a traditional gaming console. Bond also highlighted the importance of cross-platform gaming to the Xbox brand.

Since Bond’s surprise departure, rumors have swirled around the future of the Xbox.

Although much is still unknown about Project Helix, a public confirmation of its existence by Sharma is big news for gamers.