Microsoft has officially confirmed that its next-generation Xbox console is in development, with the codename Project Helix.
The announcement came from Asha Sharma, who recently took over leadership of Microsoft’s gaming division. In a post shared on X after a meeting with Team Xbox, Sharma confirmed that the upcoming console represents the next step for the Xbox brand.
Great start to the morning with Team Xbox, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox including Project Helix, the code name for our next generation console.
— Asha (@asha_shar) March 5, 2026
Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games. Looking forward to chatting about… pic.twitter.com/Xx5rpVnAZI
“Great start to the morning with Team Xbox, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox, including Project Helix, the code name for our next-generation console,” she said.
While Microsoft hasn’t revealed full technical details yet, the confirmation gives gamers their first official glimpse into what could become the fifth-generation Xbox console.
Project Helix will succeed the current generation led by the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, which launched in 2020.
For months, rumours have circulated about Microsoft’s next hardware plans, especially following leadership changes inside the Xbox division. The confirmation from Sharma puts those rumours to rest; the next Xbox is real and already in development.
The reveal also arrives at a critical moment for Microsoft’s gaming business, as the company looks to strengthen its position against competitors like Sony Interactive Entertainment and its PlayStation 5 ecosystem.
Emmanuel Umahi
Xbox and PC Gaming Are Becoming One Ecosystem
One of the most notable details confirmed so far is that Project Helix will support both Xbox and PC games.
According to Sharma, “Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games.”
This reinforces Microsoft’s long-term strategy of blurring the lines between console and PC gaming. In the past several years, the company has built an ecosystem that allows players to access the same games across multiple platforms.
Services like Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere already allow players to purchase or access titles that work across Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
Project Helix appears to be the next step in that evolution, potentially making the console feel closer to a dedicated gaming PC built for the living room.
Hints That the Next Xbox Will Be More Like a Gaming PC
The idea of Xbox consoles becoming more PC-like has been hinted at before.
Former Xbox president Sarah Bond previously suggested that the future of Xbox hardware could resemble high-end gaming PCs, offering more flexibility and performance for modern games.
That approach would allow developers to build games across platforms more easily, while giving players access to a larger library of titles, including games traditionally designed for PC.
Emmanuel Umahi
A Big Reveal Could Be Coming Soon
Although Microsoft has only revealed the codename so far, more details may arrive soon.
Sharma hinted that she plans to speak more about the console and Xbox’s future with developers and partners at the upcoming Game Developers Conference (GDC).
Industry events like GDC are often where companies begin laying out the technological vision behind new hardware platforms, so developers may soon learn more about what Project Helix is capable of.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the announcement, several important details about Project Helix remain under wraps. These include the console’s release date, full hardware specifications, potential new features or services, and pricing and launch markets.
Microsoft has also not confirmed whether the new console will fully replace the current Xbox Series X|S generation or exist alongside it.
Emmanuel Umahi
