Xbox publishing lead says devs should get ready for the next-gen Project Helix console by "developing for Xbox on PC" — and by supporting this key feature

The Xbox Series X|S generation is soon coming to a close, with Microsoft recently announcing "Project Helix" — the codenamed next-gen Xbox console that's radically reimagining what an Xbox can be. Expected to release at some point in 2027, Project Helix will be a console-PC hybrid, a system designed to offer the plug-and-play simplicity of the former with the ability to access the ocean of available games on the latter.

Project Helix will be at the heart of Microsoft's multiplatform strategy for Xbox that's already brought devices like the Xbox Ally and the availability of Windows versions of Xbox games delivered through the Xbox on PC app (it still needs a lot of work). And if you're a developer looking to launch your game on the next-gen console, you should be "developing for Xbox on PC today."

That advice comes from Chris Charla, Xbox's general manager of portfolio and programs and the head of ID@Xbox. Speaking in a new interview with IGN, Charla explained that building your game for today's Xbox consoles as well as the Xbox PC app and Xbox Play Anywhere — a key feature that allows you to transfer game progress across Xbox and PC, provided you're using the same Microsoft account on both — will put you in "pole position" to get it running natively on Project Helix.

"Someone looking to be ready for next-gen with Xbox should be developing for Xbox console today, developing for Xbox on PC, and supporting Xbox Play Anywhere," he said. "That'll put you in pole position for the next generation and ensure your Xbox on PC game runs natively on Project Helix."

"The exact specifics may differ per developer and game. In a lot of cases if you're coming from a Steam or stock PC build it may be smarter to start with the Xbox for PC version first and then use that as the basis for the Xbox console version," he continued. "Of course we'll have more details about how developers can take advantage of the specific hardware features of Project Helix in the months ahead, but doing this ensures they'll have a native build on Project Helix."

The hybrid nature of Project Helix has had some wondering if it will be a tougher platform to develop for in the future compared to a traditional console. But Charla says the opposite will be the case: "We're working hard so developers can make one Xbox build in the future and it'll run on their Project Helix console, on PC and on streaming and cloud surfaces like smart TVs and other devices."

The goal of ensuring it's as frictionless as possible to make one version of an Xbox game and have it run across console and PC without issues ties into new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's "return to Xbox" initiative, and making sure that the Xbox console experience doesn't suffer even as the brand expands to other platforms.

"There's lots and lots of great places to play Xbox games that aren't just a console, but I think just understanding that people know that's our reference, that smooth, friction-free experience that you have on the couch with a controller, that's where it starts," Charla said. "And then having that same experience wherever you go, wherever you want to play is also crucial, but it's really just about letting people know we love console and we love being on TVs."

🗨️ How do you feel about Project Helix?

The next-gen Xbox "Project Helix" console is quite an ambitious device, and aims to be both a console and a PC all in one, with the benefits of both and very few drawbacks. There are reasons to be concerned that its user experience may not be as polished as it needs to be given the technical issues with the Xbox on PC app, though.

I'd like to hear from you: how do you feel about Project Helix? Share your thoughts in the comments, and vote in our poll.

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