Microsoft Gaming shared updates on its newly announced next-generation hardware Project Helix during the Xbox Developer Summit keynote address at Game Developer Conference 2026, including that it plans to ship alpha versions of the hardware to developers beginning in 2027.
“Project Helix is designed to play your Xbox console and PC games, delivering leading performance and ushering in the next generation of console gaming,” Xbox vice president of next generation Jason Ronald said in an Xbox Wire post.
“Project Helix is powered by a custom AMD [system on chip] and co-designed for the next generation of DirectX and FSR to unlock what comes next.
“It delivers an order of magnitude leap in ray tracing performance and capability, integrates intelligence directly into the graphics and compute pipeline, and drives meaningful gains in efficiency, scale, and visual ambition. The result is more realistic, immersive, and dynamic worlds for players.”
Ronald also said that, as part of Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026, it will be “rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past.” Further details were not announced.
Microsoft Gaming also plans to bring Xbox mode to Windows 11 in April, starting with select markets. Xbox mode lets players “seamlessly switch between productivity and play, with a familiar full screen and controller optimized Xbox experience while embracing the openness of Windows.” An early version of the mode debuted on ROG Xbox Ally handhelds.
Ronald continued, “This is just the start of the next generation and the next 25 years of Xbox, and we can’t wait to share more later this year. As we listen, learn, and build in partnership with the industry and the community, we’d like to thank you for being part of the journey and making gaming so unique and enduring.”