Windows & Steam Support Will Make Project Helix ‘The Most Open Xbox Ever’, Says Report
With Xbox officially announcing today that its next Xbox console known as “Project Helix” will be integrating both console and PC games, there’s been a lot of discussion about what kind of PC games the console will actually support.
Jez Corden at Windows Central — someone who has led the rumours about the next Xbox console supporting PC games for a long time — has once again taken to the website today to state that Project Helix will be “the most open Xbox ever” due to its ability to support Windows and multiple storefronts such as Steam and the Epic Games Store.
He’s just reiterating what he’s said before, but it’s interesting stuff nevertheless:
“From our reporting, we know it’ll essentially be a gaming PC at its core, with the Xbox Full Screen Experience from the Xbox Ally handheld as its front-end. “
“As such, Xbox Helix will be the most open Xbox ever. You’ll be able to boot up the Windows Desktop from here, and install other PC stores such as Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Riot Client, Battle.net, and much more.”
Rumours of Windows integration for the next Xbox console began exactly a year ago, with Corden sparking off suggestions a few months later that Steam could be part of it. Xbox then officially promised to deliver “the next generation of graphics innovation” with its next-gen strategy while remaining committed to backwards compatibility in June, and Corden then followed up in October with a big report explaining that you could “exit out to Windows” on the system and access other storefronts.
Xbox has yet to officially confirm anything about how the PC side of things will work on Project Helix, but Corden mentions that they’re “working around the clock” to polish up the Xbox Full-Screen Experience user interface and make it as console-focused as possible.
Despite all of this info, we’d always suggest taking reports and rumours with a pinch of salt — simply because plans can change on a whim, especially when a new boss takes the reigns at Xbox! Let’s hope for more official details soon.
