Xbox’s next-generation game console, codenamed Project Helix, is reportedly targeting a 2028 release, with new reports claiming that it will also cost upwards of US$1,000.
This information comes from a report by Fortune about the studio’s newest CEO, Asha Sharma, and how she is turning around one of gaming’s biggest brands. Within the report, it was stated that Project Helix has been internally projected to cost between US$1,200 and US$1,800, although it also states that Microsoft could still decide to subsidise the cost upon release.
In addition, Sharma is also reportedly planning to release a next-generation handheld device by the 2027 holiday season, followed by the release of Project Helix by 2028. As of now, it’s unclear whether these two devices would be linked in any way, as Microsoft previously stated that Project Helix would comprise a line-up of devices, and not just one console.
Ultimately, it seems like gaming will only get more and more expensive as the prices of components like RAM and storage continue to rise. Xbox isn’t the only one getting affected too, as rumours have already begun to surface about how the RAM and Storage prices of Sony’s next-generation console, the PS6, might cost over US$680, meaning that it is highly likely that both next-gen consoles will cost over US$1,000.
For now, little is known about Microsoft’s next-gen console, apart from its Project Helix codename and the fact that the console will apparently be able to play both Xbox and PC games, although it remains to be seen which specific games or PC storefronts the console will support. Steam, of course, remains the biggest contender so far due to its popularity among the PC gamer audience, and if Xbox somehow manages to incorporate Steam support, this could mean that previous PS5/PC exclusives, such as Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise or Santa Monica Studio’s God of War reboot series, might finally make their debut on an Xbox console, but all this remains to be seen until more information surfaces, with Xbox previously stating that it had “more to share” about Project Helix towards the end of 2026.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
