Microsoft is reportedly targeting a 2028 release for its next-generation Xbox, and the device could carry an eye-popping price tag. According to a lengthy profile of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma published by Xbox Fortune, the upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, may cost between $1,200 and $1,800 unless Microsoft chooses to subsidize the hardware. Project Helix is designed as a next-gen console that will also play PC games.
The profile also points to a staggered rollout. The next Xbox hardware release is reportedly a handheld device slated for the 2027 holiday season, with the full console arriving in the same period in 2028. Sharma previously hinted in an August interview that Project Helix would be a "family" of gaming devices, so multiple releases are not a surprise. The pricing, however, is a major concern. Rising costs for RAM and other components, driven by AI development, could make the high projected figure hard to avoid, which may complicate Sharma's goal of reaching more than 1 billion people daily.
Much could still change over the next two years. The high figure may be an early signal that makes a lower final price appear more customer-friendly. Still, if the price stays this high, Xbox, which currently reports about 100 million daily active users, could struggle to grow. Buyers may find the cheaper Steam Machine more appealing than hardware from a brand that is already under pressure.
The report also describes possible changes to Game Pass, including a la carte pricing with add-ons for "console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer," according to unnamed insiders. Further layoffs are also expected, with cuts anticipated this month and additional reductions planned for November and January.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing