Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has confirmed that the next generation of Xbox, known as Project Helix, will encompass multiple devices. Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Sharma described the upcoming hardware as part of a 'family of devices', while stressing the need for 'affordability and efficiency' in light of the worldwide memory shortage.
First mention of a 'family' of devices
When asked if Xbox's next console will be disc-less, Sharma said: 'We're not sharing more on Helix. We've been hard at work on a great next generation and a great family of devices for Helix and we'll share more soon.'
This is the first time Sharma has referred to Project Helix as part of a 'family', although it remains unclear what that means exactly. It could refer to multiple SKUs of the same console, like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, or multiple models of the same console, such as one with and without a disc drive, similar to the PlayStation 5.
Possible handheld and affordability focus
It could also allude to another handheld device, beyond its partnership with Asus for the ROG Xbox Ally X. On a more mundane level, it could be a buzzword referring to their current line-up of options, like cloud gaming or Xbox Game Pass.
Sharma went on to emphasise the need for 'affordability and efficiency' in light of the worldwide memory shortage, suggesting there might be a cheaper, low-powered SKU for Project Helix. 'We will of course continue to push the boundaries of performance,' Sharma added. 'We've talked about being able to not only play your console games, but also play your PC games on your console. I think in addition, the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency. That is something that we have not had to do. But with the crisis that's currently happening in hardware and components, it is absolutely something all of us need to be thinking about and innovating on and giving people more choice in terms of how they play their console and how they purchase their console.'
Franchise growth ambitions
Elsewhere in the interview, Sharma said Xbox is aiming to have 'six to eight' billion dollar franchises in the coming years, directly after saying that Xbox doesn't need to pursue growth like its competitors. 'I think what's interesting to me is that while most of the industry is looking for growth, Xbox doesn't have to,' Sharma said. 'We've got three billion dollar annual franchises every year. I think we should have six to eight in the coming years. We have great franchises, and more importantly, over time we're going to continue to build our developer platform to bring on great indie developers.'
While she doesn't name them specifically, Xbox's three billion dollar franchises are likely Minecraft, Call Of Duty, and Candy Crush. It's unclear what could match those in the coming years, but The Elder Scrolls is perhaps one of the candidates, with The Elder Scrolls 6.
A big problem facing Xbox is convincing those already invested in Sony's ecosystem, or PC gaming on Steam, to jump ship. An expensive high-end console, as Xbox have teased in the past, certainly won't do it, but if it can work out a way to undercut Sony – whether through a different console SKU or a handheld – it could gain some leverage.
However, in light of the components crisis, there's a strong chance Sony is looking to adopt the same strategy, especially as they've already hinted about both a portable and home console. Indeed, while the details of what each company is planning remain unclear they do somehow seem to have converged on a similar strategy for the next generation. All will likely be revealed next year, with both Sony and Microsoft's next consoles expected in 2027 or 2028. Although an announcement at The Game Awards in December, where the Xbox Series X was originally unveiled, is also possible.
