Microsoft hints that its next Xbox could be more than one console

Microsoft has hinted at potential diversification in its Xbox console lineup, suggesting the next-generation platform under Project Helix could encompass a range of devices rather than a single traditional living-room console. The revelation came from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma during a BBC News interview at Gamescom 2026. Sharma described Helix as a "great family of devices", implying Microsoft's next-generation hardware plans encompass more than one traditional console.

While specific hardware details remain undisclosed, Sharma confirmed that Xbox is developing a "great family of devices" for Helix and promised to share more information in the near future. She reiterated the company's intention to continue pushing the boundaries of performance. The timing is particularly significant given the console market's shift away from the one-box-per-generation model.

Microsoft's strategy increasingly involves connecting consoles, PCs, cloud gaming, and portable devices, making a broader hardware family a logical extension of this approach. However, a key question remains: will the next Xbox still include a disc drive? Sharma did not directly answer this question in her recent comments, leaving the matter unresolved.

As Sony plans to stop producing disc-based games for PlayStation by 2028, a shift toward digital-only hardware could impact Xbox owners' physical game collections. Microsoft has been working on Helix and expects developers to receive early versions of the hardware next year. The company is moving from broad promises to actual development hardware.

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