Microsoft announces the outline of the next-generation Xbox 'Project Helix' that integrates PC and home games, Xbox mode will be implemented on Windows PC from April 2026 & development machine will be equipped with AMD custom chip



At GDC 2026 , a conference for game developers being held in San Francisco from March 9, 2026, Microsoft announced the details of its next-generation Xbox, which will be developed under the project name ' Project Helix .' Project Helix focuses on integrating PCs and consoles (home gaming machines). Additionally, a new feature for Windows, 'Xbox Mode,' which specializes in controller operation, will be rolled out starting in April 2026.

From GDC: Building the Next Generation of Xbox - Xbox Wire
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/03/11/project-helix-building-next-generation-of-xbox/

Microsoft confirms next-gen Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will be powered by custom AMD SoC and feature 'FSR Diamond' — 'Xbox Mode' is also coming to Windows 11 | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/xbox/microsoft-confirms-next-gen-xbox-codenamed-project-helix-will-be-powered-by-custom-amd-soc-and-feature-fsr-diamond-next-gen-console-delivers-order-of-magnitude-leap-in-performance

According to Microsoft, Project Helix is designed to enable the playing of Xbox console and PC games, delivering superior performance and ushering in the next generation of console gaming.

As part of its longstanding partnership with AMD, Microsoft has revealed that Project Helix will feature a custom AMD SoC, co-designed for next-generation DirectX and AMD's upscaling technology, FSR.

The next-generation FSR is apparently built on AI-powered neural rendering, but details are unknown at the time of writing. However, Microsoft states that 'next-generation FSR is next-generation ML-based upscaling and ray playback technology, and thanks to next-generation FSR, Project Helix will support multi-frame generation.'

Jack Hughes, Senior Vice President of Computing and Graphics at AMD, revealed on Twitter that the next-generation FSR will be called 'AMD FSR Diamond.'



'By delivering an order of magnitude increase in ray tracing performance and capabilities and integrating intelligence directly into the graphics and compute pipeline, we are delivering significant gains in efficiency, scale, and visual ambition. As a result, players will experience more realistic, immersive, and dynamic worlds,' Microsoft said.

In addition, they plan to ship 'alpha versions of the hardware' to developers starting in 2027. Microsoft's game development division has released photos of the next-generation Xbox development machine, X.



Microsoft plans to roll out Xbox Mode to standard Windows PCs starting in April 2026. Xbox Mode is a Windows UI optimized for game controllers, allowing users to experience the same user experience on home game consoles like the Xbox Series X on Windows. Xbox Mode is already available on the ROG Xbox Ally X, but it will now be available on standard laptops and desktop PCs.

I checked whether the portable gaming PC 'ROG Xbox Ally X' and 'ROG Xbox Ally' can play games smoothly - GIGAZINE



Microsoft said, 'This is just the beginning of the next generation and the next 25 years of Xbox. We can't wait to share more information later this year. As we listen, learn, and build together with the industry and community, we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has been with us on this journey and helped make games so unique and enduring.'

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in Hardware,   Game, Posted by log1i_yk