Microsoft Project Helix Console May Cost Up to $1,800

ANKARA, Oct 21 (OPA) — Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix console, led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, is projected to retail between $1,200 and $1,800. If realized, this would mark the most expensive home gaming system ever produced by the company. The hardware is designed to function as a high-performance hybrid, capable of running both native Xbox titles and complex PC software.

Rising production costs are primarily driven by the global surge in artificial intelligence investments, which have strained the supply chain for advanced components. Prices for high-end graphics processors and memory chips have doubled in recent years, forcing Microsoft to reconsider traditional console pricing models. Unlike previous generations, where manufacturers often subsidized hardware costs to gain market share, the advanced specifications of Project Helix make such strategies difficult to sustain.

Internal discussions are currently underway regarding the software ecosystem for the project, which includes a planned handheld device for the 2027 holiday season. Disagreements persist between the Windows division, which favors a simplified version of Windows Home, and the Xbox team, which is pushing for a dedicated, console-specific operating system to ensure a seamless user experience. The company aims to launch the flagship console by the end of 2028.

To mitigate the impact of high hardware costs on its 100 million active users, Microsoft is evaluating a restructuring of the Game Pass subscription service. The company is considering an 'a la carte' model that would allow users to pay separately for cloud gaming, multiplayer access, or exclusive titles. These changes coincide with broader organizational restructuring and personnel adjustments across the company as it navigates the transition to this new hardware generation.