Have you ever dreamed of a Console+PC hybrid that allows you to play on practically any storefront possible? While also giving you the best gaming deals on the software you love? If the answer is yes, your dreams are about to be realised with Project Helix. The next hardware that’s coming from Xbox.
Everyone is asking. How much is this thing going to be? If we look at the premium experience Microsoft intends to offer. It’s probably going to be the first thousand dollar console. At least, that’s all the rumour right now. Is that really going to matter? Only if you want the best hardware.
The problem starts when we look at the average ‘console’ gamer and what they want. There is no doubt that PCs are becoming more popular. It’s this which leads me to believe that there is a market for what Microsoft is offering here in the living room especially.
Coming back to the point of the average ‘console’ gamer though. Looking at what Microsoft has offered with the Xbox Rog Ally. We’re finding out a little more each day about what to expect with Project Helix. The Series consoles are the last ‘traditional’ console offering from Xbox. That poses a bit of an issue. It’s not just the cost which could price most out of this ‘premium’ hardware. When you look at Sony and what they’re doing. They will no doubt stick to one hardware of the same specs with physical and digital options.
My concern with Project Helix. Isn’t that it’s not going to sell. It will do. They are however going to have to learn a lot from the Xbox Rog Ally. Microsoft needs to make sure they make this a comfortable experience for console fans as well with the extension of PC being there, but ultimately, they need to make it so it’s not in the way of us just being able to play our games from the get go without being some kind of an engineer.
That’s my only concern. I think for the vast majority of Xbox fans. They’re going to be there on day one. If they don’t find some of the existing fans joining them this generation. There is no doubt they’re going to find a market just based on the growth of PCs and people wanting new hardware and that ‘living room experience’. It just depends what the demand is and whether people can find a common ground with what’s being offered this time out.
It’s also going to be interesting how Xbox approaches its exclusivity of games. Sony has made their position very clear. They’re removing all of their PC presence and doubling down on their own eco-system. Exclusivity is going to be the basis of their whole PS6 marketing. That’s a daunting prospect because when PlayStation is on top with what they output they rarely have any competition. They will reel you in as a customer. If the next Xbox has no exclusivity. Where is the value in your experience coming from other than just really high-end hardware and different storefronts?
Obviously, Microsoft has been changing a lot of things behind the hood. They are now taking feedback requests. So how does Microsoft regain that momentum? They have to do what fans will love. That means, the best games, more innovations in the product so they can stand on their own within the PC space that they’re now moving towards.
Whether Project Helix is for you or not. It’s going to depend on what you want from your next generation hardware. It’s also going to depend on what each offers collectively and how that improves your gaming experience overall. It’s also going to depend on how much gaming is worth to you? And as we know, most gamers in generations have normally gone towards the most affordable option. So how does Microsoft break that tradition and can they even?
It’s going to be a challenging endeavour for Xbox and so many things are going to need to be ‘right’ in order for them to get the kind of pay-off that they want out of this.
Written by Craig Clark
From gaming industry headlines to all things Manchester United and entertainment, Craig covers the stories everyone's talking about — alongside his own published works.