Microsoft finally announced its next Xbox, which is codenamed Project Helix. The upcoming console will be the first to play Xbox and PC games, but it’s apparently not the first time that Microsoft has pursued that goal. A recently resurfaced report shows that Microsoft was pushing the idea of Project Helix–under that same name–for a decade or longer.
The Verge’s Tom Warren called attention to a 2016 post by Kotaku, which noted that Microsoft had a plan “codenamed ‘Project Helix’ according to one source, to converge Xbox and Windows. For a while now Microsoft has been clear that they want their two prestige brands to work together … Developer sources have told us that Microsoft’s new mandate is to release future games–including the flagship Halo series–on both platforms.”
Former Microsoft vice president of Windows and Xbox Mike Ybarra also noted the familiar Project Helix codename when the new system was announced.
Sounds very familiar – it’s back.
— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) March 5, 2026
Analyst and Kantan Games founder Dr. Serkan Toto has predicted that Project Helix may cost $900 or more regardless of whether the RAM shortage is over when the system is ready to launch. Toto also notes that Project Helix may be Microsoft’s last chance to “make their hardware business work.”
In the meantime, Project Helix’s PC capabilities make it a competitor to the upcoming Steam Machine. Valve recently noted that Steam Machine will debut this year, which will give it a jump on Project Helix. Microsoft hasn’t officially set a release window for its next Xbox yet.
