Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has declined to confirm whether the company's next console, codenamed Project Helix, will feature a disc drive. Sharma stated that the focus is on ensuring players can access their game libraries regardless of their preferred format, whether physical or digital.
"Look, whether you play physical games, digital games, it's really important that your libraries can go wherever you are," Sharma told the BBC. "And we're really committed to preserving great gameplay."
Sharma highlighted Microsoft's new disc-to-digital initiative, which allows players to convert physical game discs into digital entitlements for their libraries. This move is seen as a step towards accommodating players who own physical media as the industry trend leans towards digital distribution. "And we're just getting started," she added. "You know that we announced PC back compat. We've long pioneered backwards compatibility. And so you'll continue to see that as we go forward in the generations."
When pressed on whether Xbox's plans had shifted due to the industry's move away from physical media, Sharma reiterated her commitment to offering choice. "I want Xbox to be where the world plays. And in order to be where the world plays, I know that players love physical media, and I know that there's a lot of benefits in digital media, and I want to make sure that people have a choice in that. And so, I'm excited for what we are able to do today as a first step towards that, and you'll see more."
Directly asked if Project Helix would be a disc-less console, Sharma responded with a laugh, stating, "So, we're not sharing more on Helix. I know you had to ask it, but we've been hard at work on a great next generation and a great family of devices for Helix, and we'll share more soon."
Microsoft has confirmed that development kits for Project Helix will be distributed next year. The console is expected to be a hybrid system supporting both console and PC play. Sharma's comments come at a time when the Xbox division is undergoing significant restructuring, which has already led to substantial job losses.