Xbox CEO confirms Project Helix will be a 'family of devices'

During an interview with BBC News, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma described Project Helix as 'a great family of devices' for the next generation. When asked whether Helix would be a disc-less console, Sharma did not directly answer but reiterated that Microsoft is working on multiple devices. The company had teased Project Helix in March 2026, referring to it then as a 'next generation console,' which many interpreted as a single product.

Sharma's latest comments come alongside a new Microsoft program that allows players to digitise their physical game discs, a move that aligns with an industry-wide shift toward digital distribution. The Verge reported the program this week.

Microsoft and AMD also announced a multi-year strategic partnership in 2025 to collaborate on next-generation hardware, though specific details about Helix's chipset have not been disclosed. The family-of-devices approach suggests Microsoft may release multiple console SKUs or form factors, potentially including a high-end model and a more affordable streaming-focused device, mirroring the current Xbox Series X|S strategy — but with closer integration to PC gaming.

Why This Matters

Xbox gamers will have more hardware choices in the next generation, potentially ranging from a powerful local console to a cloud-streaming device.
A family of devices signals Microsoft's intent to blur the line between console and PC gaming, leveraging its Windows ecosystem and partnerships.
The disc-to-digital program suggests the family may include an all-digital model, accelerating the shift away from physical media.

Background

Microsoft's Xbox business has traditionally released a single flagship console per generation, with mid-cycle refreshes. The current Xbox Series generation introduced a split between the high-end Series X and the lower-cost Series S. Project Helix is expected to be the next leap after that generation. The 2025 AMD partnership indicates custom silicon for the new devices.

Key Perspectives

Xbox leadership (Asha Sharma): Positioning Helix as a flexible ecosystem that can reach more gamers through multiple price points and form factors.
Gamers: Potential excitement for more choice, but concern about fragmentation and whether all devices will play the same games equally well.
Critics: A family of devices could complicate marketing and development; some may worry that a cheaper device will hold back the capabilities of the premium one.

What to Watch

When Microsoft will reveal specific devices, specs, and launch timing — Sharma said 'we'll share more soon.'
Whether the disc-to-digital program is a prerequisite for an all-digital Helix model.
How the AMD partnership translates into performance parity or divergence across the family.

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