A leaked internal memo suggests the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, could play games from every generation the company has ever released.
What happened
A leaked internal memo suggests the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, could play games from every generation the company has ever released. If true, that would make it the largest game library on any console, especially since it’s also said to support PC games .
Practical impact for readers
The Verge ‘s Tom Warren has obtained a document that Microsoft reportedly sent to publishers, outlining its plans for Helix to run games spanning every past Xbox generation. It states that Helix could support games for the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles, on top of new Helix titles and PC games.
Details worth verifying
However, that doesn’t mean playing old Xbox games on Helix will be as straightforward as inserting a disc, because Microsoft reportedly still hasn’t settled on whether the console will even include a disc drive.
Who should act or wait
The memo itself is essentially a pitch. Microsoft is asking publishers to sign off on backward compatibility for their old titles, permission it wouldn’t need if the goal was simply letting people replay games they already own on disc. That points to digital sales being the real ask, and the memo reportedly says so directly. One section titled “Why publishers win” explicitly states that publishers will benefit by reselling old titles.
What is still unclear
Not every part of this may require publishers to opt in. Xbox One and Xbox Series titles are expected to convert into portable digital licenses through Microsoft’s planned Disc-to-Digital program, which the document reportedly states requires no publisher action per title and would carry over to any Xbox device, Helix included. A separate leaked roadmap points to an August rollout for that program.
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