Microsoft Hints Next Xbox Console Will Support Both Xbox and PC Games

Last summer, at Ars, we advocated for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox console to abandon its walled garden approach in favor of running Windows. Now, Microsoft’s newly appointed Executive Vice President for Gaming, Asha Sharma, has strongly hinted that this evolution might soon become reality. In a recent social media post, Sharma noted that the next-generation console would feature capabilities to 'play your Xbox and PC games.'

In her statement on Thursday afternoon, Sharma emphasized 'our commitment to the return of Xbox,' unveiling a new console codenamed Project Helix that promises to deliver leading performance while supporting both Xbox and PC games. She plans to discuss this commitment and the details around the console at her inaugural Game Developers Conference next week, engaging with developers and other partners.

While Sharma's statement leaves some room for interpretation—potentially hinting that Project Helix might not fully embrace a Windows-based gaming experience—the console's ability to play PC games may be limited to Microsoft’s existing streaming services via PC Game Pass, or be confined to games developed using Microsoft's Xbox-branded PC SDK and the PC Xbox app.

Nevertheless, a straightforward reading of Sharma’s announcement suggests Microsoft could be moving towards enabling its next console to support a complete Windows installation, thus allowing access to a vast library of existing PC games. This wouldn’t be entirely unexpected, considering Microsoft has previously employed the Xbox brand for devices like last year’s Windows-based ROG Xbox Ally, which features a somewhat console-like full-screen 'Xbox Experience.' Additionally, Microsoft has been incrementally reducing the exclusivity of games to Xbox consoles, hinting at a diminishing focus on maintaining a closed-off console environment. Notably, this contrasts with Sony's recent decision to pause the release of first-party titles on PC. Meanwhile, the approaching launch of Valve’s Steam Machine poses competition by potentially delivering Windows-free PC gaming experiences to living rooms worldwide.