Katarzyna Petru
The Microsoft company may be preparing the largest change in the history of Xbox consoles. According to a statement from one of the company's managers, the next generation of devices is expected to allow the launching of both Xbox games and PC games. The new console, known by the working name Project Helix, could significantly change the way the entire Xbox ecosystem operates.
Xbox and PC in one ecosystem
The new vice president of Microsoft's gaming division, Asha Sharma, suggested on social media that the upcoming console from the company will connect the worlds of Xbox and PC. According to her announcement, the device: will offer high performance, will allow running games from Xbox and PC, and will be part of a broader return of the Xbox brand. Details of the project are set to be revealed during the Game Developers Conference.
One of the most frequently mentioned theories is that Microsoft's future console will run on a full version of Microsoft Windows adapted for televisions. Such a move would enable the running of thousands of PC games available on various distribution platforms. Microsoft has already begun to bring both ecosystems closer together. An example is the portable device ROG Xbox Ally, which runs on Windows and offers a special Xbox Experience mode.
End of Xbox Exclusivity?
Microsoft's strategy has been clearly changing for several years. The company is increasingly less focused on games available exclusively on Xbox consoles. Many titles are released simultaneously on PC or on the Xbox Game Pass service, which diminishes the significance of the closed console ecosystem. The new generation of hardware could be another step towards combining consoles and PCs into one gaming platform. While the idea sounds appealing, several challenges arise: integration of various PC launchers, adapting games from keyboard and mouse to controller, compatibility with older titles. Microsoft will need to find a way to ensure that everything works as conveniently as a classic console.
If the announcements are confirmed, the new Xbox console could be one of the most groundbreaking devices in the history of the brand. Project Helix may combine the world of console and PC gaming, giving players access to a vast library of titles. For now, the details remain unknown, but everything suggests that Microsoft wants to permanently integrate Xbox with the Windows ecosystem.
source: arstechnica.com
