Project Helix began in 2016 as Microsoft's plan to unify Xbox consoles and Windows PCs

Recently, Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma revealed the Project Helix codename for its new Xbox console. However, the concept of a single system that plays PC and Xbox games dates back much further. The Verge Senior Editor Tom Warren reminded gamers that the idea became public in 2016, shortly before the Xbox One S arrived.

A history of Project Helix

Helix may actually have originated in 2003, when journalist Dean Takahashi leaked a proposal to install Windows on the Xbox 360. Still, it didn’t become a priority for the company until much later. Keza MacDonald and Jason Schreier authored a 2016 Kotaku article that previewed Microsoft’s future hardware. Addressing the Xbox One S and X, they explained:

The two consoles form part of a wider Microsoft strategy, codenamed ‘Project Helix’ according to one source, to converge Xbox and Windows.

The strategy was cross-platform focused, introducing software to larger audiences. Sea of Thieves and Halo Wars 2 were two early Xbox exclusive games that launched on consoles and PCs. They also supported the Play Anywhere initiative, which would soon become a mass-marketed campaign.

Ahead of E3 2016, former CEO Phil Spencer teased how Xbox consoles would become more like gaming PCs. Engineers could regularly upgrade their designs, and games would remain compatible across multiple devices.

The advantages of a PC-inspired console

With releases like the Xbox One X, Microsoft experimented with incremental upgrades. More recently, the Xbox Series X and S haven’t seen significant performance bumps since their 2020 debut. That could change with Project Helix, if it ships with more easily replaceable components. It’s unclear how straightforward it will be for owners accustomed to upgrading gaming rigs to make alterations.

The next gaming system is the most ambitious attempt to bring a hybrid console/Windows PC into living rooms. Even now, critics question whether gamers will embrace the new Xbox console.

The full-screen experience already available on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds isn’t always seamless. Rumors also suggest that a high price may make Project Helix unaffordable for many buyers. Finally, competing with the Steam Machine and PS6, Microsoft could need Xbox exclusive games to differentiate its system.