The future Xbox, officially known as Project Helix, will feature a custom-designed AMD SoC. Microsoft has also specified that this new machine will be able to run both Xbox and PC games. Originally, an SoC combining CPU, NPU and GPU seemed obvious, but this is no longer the case.
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Towards “classic” graphics for the future Xbox?
According to KeplerL2 of the NeoGAF forum, the Helix project would integrate a custom-made chip combining the CPU, artificial intelligence and display elements, while retaining an AT2-type graphics component. This is nothing new, since the Xbox division had already announced a long-term partnership with AMD last year, with the aim of working together to create the engines for the brand’s next devices, be they living-room machines, portable models or computers. But a recent report, again from the same author, seems to mark a certain inflexion.
Xbox closer and closer to the PC
Project Helix’s graphics chip will not be custom-designed. Typically, console components are created specifically to maximize the performance of the device, making it more tedious for programmers to adapt their games for other platforms. Given that Project Helix will do away with this ultra-specialized approach, porting titles to this future hybrid machine should prove much more accessible for game creators. A notable evolution, but in line with Microsoft’s own words, evoking the Helix system as a veritable hyphen between the world of consoles and that of PC gaming.
Microsoft’s strategy still unclear (or hidden)
AMD and Microsoft’ s Project Helix SoC would then potentially be integrated into customized solutions from major PC manufacturers such as ASUS and MSI. This strategy would be the logical continuation of the one initiated with ASUS’s ROG Xbox Ally range.
Nevertheless, the arrival of a “made in Microsoft” Xbox equipped with the Project Helix chip remains on the cards. Jason Ronald, responsible for the next-generation Xbox, confirms that this remains the company’s priority. Partnerships with PC manufacturers appear to be a parallel strategy. Unless Microsoft is hiding its game. In any case, we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out more about Microsoft’s plans…
