{
  "id": 16103892,
  "title": "Everything We Know About Project Helix, the Next Xbox",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/everything-we-know-about-project-helix-the-next-xbox",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T20:12:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Polygon",
    "slug": "polygon",
    "url": "https://www.polygon.com/next-xbox-console-release-date-price-project-helix/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Six years of Xbox's existence have seen Microsoft's gaming ambitions skyrocketed by the $67.9 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Despite the impressive hardware, the Series X and Series S consoles have struggled in sales, falling behind rivals such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This has led to a series of changes within Microsoft, including leadership shifts, layoffs, and divestments of several studios. Console exclusivity for first-party titles was temporarily abandoned but is now returning.\n\nMicrosoft's Game Pass has undergone multiple changes in bundling and pricing, but now seems to be stabilizing. The company has managed to overcome the long period of lacking first-party games during the Xbox One era and the initial years of the Series X and S consoles. However, the current lineup of games has nowhere to go.\n\nProject Helix, the next generation of Xbox, has been announced. The cost of this new console is estimated to be between $1,200 and $1,800, although it may be subsidized by Microsoft if necessary. A release date has been set for the 2028 holiday season, which is a delay from the initial 2027 projection. Interestingly, Microsoft has confirmed that Project Helix will be compatible with existing Xbox games and even allow the playing of PC games, making it a Windows-based device similar to a powerful gaming PC.\n\nThe Windows approach has both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it will allow Project Helix to host a vast library of games, including those from Steam and Battle.net. On the downside, Windows is not the most user-friendly platform for gaming, and the current Xbox Ally handheld device shows that there is still work to be done to make the experience reliable and user-friendly.\n\nThere are no confirmed exclusive titles for Project Helix at this point, but it is expected to play Xbox console games and a vast array of PC titles. Microsoft has committed to backward-compatibility with existing Xbox games, a move that will set new standards for players' expectations and solidify the company's position in the market.",
  "summary": "A rundown of everything announced, reported, leaked, and rumored about the next-gen Xbox, including, release date, price, and specs",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}