Microsoft has pretty big news coming out of the annual GDC event, including a timeline for the next-gen Xbox console, “Project Helix,” as well as a new “Xbox Mode” coming to Windows 11.
Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox announced today that the next generation of Xbox console is actively in the works, with early versions headed to game developers sometime in 2027. The next-gen console will be powered by custom AMD hardware which will apparently deliver “an order of magnitude leap in ray tracing performance and capability.” Microsoft adds that it will integrate “intelligence directly into the graphics and compute pipeline, and drives meaningful gains in efficiency, scale, and visual ambition.”
Alongside the news about a new console, Microsoft also revealed more details about Xbox and Windows crossover.
Starting in April, Windows 11 will be adding an “Xbox Mode” in select markets. This brings the UI from the ROG Xbox Ally handheld to more Windows machines for a better full-screen and controller experience.
Ronald says:
After debuting an early version with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, today I’m excited to share that we are bringing the same innovation to Windows 11 with Xbox mode that begins rolling out 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.
Further, the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which includes both the ability to play Xbox games natively on Windows using the same purchase, as well as efforts such as cloud gaming, now features a library of more than 1,500 games.
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
