Like all of your favorite pieces of technology, the next-generation Xbox console is feeling the impact of memory shortages, according to newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
Sharma’s statement on the impacts of the memory shortage crisis comes from an interview with Game File, in which she was asked about the release timeline for the next-generation Xbox and how the memory shortage impacted the transition beyond Xbox Series X|S.
“All of these things are an equation. Memory costs will impact pricing, will impact availability. As we think about being where the world plays, we will take that into consideration. So we’re not ready to share a launch timeline right now. The world’s pretty dynamic. My number one focus, though, is to focus on what’s in our control, build a great console to play great games, including your PC games.”
The demand for memory chips, RAM, and SSDs has skyrocketed as tech industries continue to invest in AI and the data centers required to operate it. This has caused a memory shortage, and the price of everything from entry-level PCs to new TVs has gone up as a result. Of course, Microsoft is also one of the companies at the center of the artificial intelligence industry, so its actions have caused a sort of own goal during the development of the next Xbox.
Its AI and Xbox initiatives have to compete for the same limited amount of memory, and that contributes to Sharma non-committal toward a next-gen release window this far ahead of release.
Microsoft revealed its next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, at GDC in March. While it has confirmed that development kits will go out to developers in early 2027, Microsoft has yet to commit to a specific release date or window for the console. That remained true in Game File’s interview, after the outlet brought up comments from AMD that suggested Project Helix could come out next year.
“All I can share is that we have development kits going out next year, and we’re working really hard and have a lot to continue to do and a lot continue to learn. But we’re really excited about Project Helix and the initial feedback that we’re getting,” Sharma stated.
As of now, when exactly Project Helix will launch remains a mystery.