Microsoft seems to have decided to give up the last thing that made an Xbox an Xbox, and that could be crucial. According to leakers, Microsoft plans to forego custom hardware in its next Xbox. This also marks the end of an era, as every Xbox so far relied on special hardware inside.
“Project Helix” is said to be the next Xbox from Microsoft. It’s already clear that the system will differ significantly from the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as it aims to bridge the gap between PC and console gaming.
Now another detail has emerged: A well-known leaker reports that the next Xbox is supposed to forgo custom hardware, a fact that has always made consoles unique in their own way.
The leak comes from AMD insider KeplerL2, the magazine WCCFTech considers the source and the leaker to be very reliable, as he has been correct more often in the past.
Giving up on special hardware feels like the end of an era, but it will make things much easier for developers
What does this mean? In simple terms, the next Xbox system will contain the same hardware that you can also find in a computer. There is not supposed to be a specific graphics chip (GPU) developed for the Xbox platform.
For most average users, this change probably won’t make much difference. When someone turns on a console, they usually see the interface and menus, not the custom hardware hidden inside the console. Gaming is also unlikely to feel any different, as the gaming experience itself with controllers and players will most likely remain identical.
On the other hand, the shift to “normal” PC hardware without special features means it could be easier than ever to port games to the new “Helix” system.
MeinMMO tech expert Benedikt says: The forgoing of such custom hardware feels like the end of the Xbox era. Whether in the Xbox 360, Xbox One, or the current generation (Series X|S), Microsoft has always relied on specifically tailored hardware that you could only find in these consoles.
This made the consoles something special, at least from a hardware perspective. Even the new Steam Machine, which is set to be released in 2026, relies on special hardware that you can only find in that device.
But that could now be over. In the end, I might only buy PC hardware with an Xbox sticker on it. For many, there might hardly be any reason to buy an Xbox, as the lines between PCs and consoles continue to blur. However, this could also mean that important advantages of the Xbox are lost: 6 things where PS5 and Xbox are simply better than a gaming PC
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