Microsoft is working on a new Xbox that can run PC games

Xbox

• Microsoft confirms new Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix
• Console will support both Xbox and PC games
• More details expected at Game Developers Conference

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Microsoft has confirmed that it is developing a new Xbox console that will support both Xbox and PC games, marking a shift in the company’s gaming hardware strategy.

The upcoming device, currently known by the codename “Project Helix,” was confirmed by Microsoft’s Xbox division as part of its plans for the next generation of gaming hardware. According to the company, the new console will focus on performance while expanding the type of games the system can run.

What Microsoft has revealed so far

Microsoft has not disclosed the specifications, design, or launch timeline for the upcoming console. However, the company said the device is being designed as a next-generation system that can handle both traditional Xbox titles and PC games.

This move indicates a possible hybrid approach to gaming hardware, where the console could operate more like a PC-based platform. The change could also align with Microsoft’s broader strategy of allowing players to access games across multiple devices.

The company’s gaming leadership said more details about the console may be shared around the Game Developers Conference (GDC), scheduled to take place in San Francisco.

Shift in Xbox strategy

In recent years, Microsoft has gradually expanded the reach of its gaming ecosystem. The company has released several titles that were previously exclusive to Xbox on other platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo systems.

Microsoft has also focused on its Game Pass subscription service, which provides access to a catalogue of games for a monthly fee across Xbox consoles and PCs. The service has become a key part of the company’s gaming strategy.

The development of a console capable of running PC games could further blur the distinction between console and PC gaming.

The Xbox division has faced several challenges in recent years. Microsoft completed a major acquisition of game publisher Activision Blizzard in 2023 and has continued to integrate the company’s studios and intellectual property into its gaming operations.

At the same time, the gaming division has reported a decline in hardware revenue and has gone through restructuring that included layoffs and project cancellations.

Microsoft believes upcoming game releases and new hardware could help strengthen the Xbox brand as the company continues to invest in its gamin