Katarzyna Petru
Microsoft may be preparing the biggest change in the history of Xbox consoles. According to a statement from one of the company's managers, the next generation of devices will allow for running both Xbox and PC games. The new console, known by its working title 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 unite the world of Xbox and PCs. According to her announcement, the device: is expected to offer high performance, allow the launching of 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. This move would enable the launching of thousands of PC games available on various distribution platforms. Microsoft has already begun to bring the two 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 clearly been changing for several years now. The company is increasingly less focused on games that are exclusively available on Xbox consoles. Many titles are being released simultaneously on PC or on the Xbox Game Pass service, which diminishes the importance of the closed console ecosystem. The new generation of hardware could be another step towards merging consoles and computers into a single gaming platform. While the idea sounds appealing, several challenges arise: integration of different PC launchers, adapting keyboard and mouse games to controllers, compatibility of older titles. Microsoft will need to find a way to make everything work as conveniently as a traditional console.
If the rumors are confirmed, the new Xbox console could be one of the most groundbreaking devices in the brand's history. Project Helix may bridge 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 connect Xbox with the Windows ecosystem.
source: arstechnica.com
