Microsoft is keeping its full next-gen Xbox Project Helix plans under wraps for now, but fresh rumors suggest Asus and MSI could be involved. Yes, those are two companies that happen to make the best gaming handhelds today, but they could end up producing their own versions of the future home console in addition to first-party versions.
The next-gen Xbox info comes courtesy of Kepler L2 via a NeoGaf post, with the leaker suggesting the Project Helix custom AMD chipset could make its way to third-party machines. In response to questions surrounding whether the SoC will be available on other machines, the insider clarifies that "it won't be sold directly to consumers," as a component, "but you will be able to buy an ASUS/MSI/etc Helix machine."
Effectively, we could see multiple next-gen Xbox consoles pop up by different OEMs all using the same chip designed with Microsoft's platform in mind. That might sound like Microsoft is taking the same hands-off approach to hardware as it did with the ROG Xbox Ally X, which is technically its first branded portable console, but VP Jason Ronald has already stepped in to reassure players that "Project Helix will be available as a 1st party Xbox console."
Project Helix will be available as a 1st party Xbox console.April 21, 2026
Rather than shooting down claims that third-party Xbox consoles by the likes of Asus and MSI are on the cards, Ronald appears to be simply confirming that Microsoft will make its own version too. Given that the company seems to be gunning for the same PC and console hybrid approach as the Steam Machine, there's every chance that the move is designed to proactively rival third-party Valve systems armed with SteamOS, which could end up serving alongside the box scheduled for this year.
Given that Microsoft just killed its "this is an Xbox" campaign, the idea of letting other devices, well, become an Xbox perhaps sounds nonsensical. While the rumors are suggesting that the internals of these third-party consoles will use the same silicon, architecture, and potentially even the same operating system with Windows at its core, this still feels like the company is sticking with the path laid out by the ROG Xbox Ally.
These are exactly the sort of rumors I like to keep a massive grain of salt handy for, as not only has Microsoft not officially confirmed any plans to work with Asus, MSI, or any other OEM, but it feels like the exact opposite of what fans are looking for right now. Sure, we already know the next-gen box is planning to provide access to PC releases in some manner, suggesting it will be more like a tiny rig, but allowing various third-party versions suggests there will be a range of configurations with their own performance expectations.
That will naturally appeal to PC players always itching to upgrade or swap out their build, but it's far from a console norm. Traditionally, couch players expect to invest in a system with set specifications and an established idea of what's possible in terms of frame rates and resolution, in turn removing any stress regarding buying the "right" build.
Microsoft's confirmation that there will be a first-party next-gen Xbox does at least mean there will be a "standard" configuration. What I'm fearing is a situation where only specific console releases are guaranteed to run a specific way, with OEMs stepping in to add more RAM and other perks that will better suit running a whole smorgasbord of PC romps.
Simply put, console gaming could get more complicated, at least when it comes to next-gen Xbox systems. In announcing the Steam Machine, Valve has inherently destroyed the janky old fence dividing the PC and console space, and Microsoft seems to be willing to come into its yard for a scrap.
Whether Sony will follow suit remains to be seen, but with additional rumors pointing towards the PS6 massively outperforming the Steam Machine, it increasingly feels like everyone's preparing to take on Valve's box.
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