What Does a 'Family of Devices' Mean for the Next Xbox?
If accurate, the claim highlights how much of China's PC gaming runs through Windows rather than Steam, and signals Xbox's next generation will spread across multiple devices instead of one console.
If accurate, the claim highlights how much of China's PC gaming runs through Windows rather than Steam, and signals Xbox's next generation will spread across multiple devices instead of one console.
Key points - Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said in an internal town hall that Xbox PC is China's number one PC gaming storefront. - The claim refers to the Microsoft Store, which is preinstalled on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and hosts games like Fortnite and Roblox. - It's unclear whether the stats include Chinese players using VPNs to access Steam, so Steam's China user base may be underestimated. - Sharma said first-party games are back in growth after declines, citing Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons 2 and World of Warcraft: Eternal. - The 10th-gen Xbox, codenamed Helix, is described as a family of devices rather than a single console.
Timeline - n/a: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma speaks at an internal town hall about Xbox's PC business and China market position. - 2026: Xbox faces simultaneous declines in playtime, players and revenue, then playtime stabilizes and first-party games return to growth. - October 7, 2026: IGN tweets about Project Helix becoming a lineup of gaming devices rather than one console.
FAQ
Q: Is the Microsoft Store really bigger than Steam in China? A: Sharma says so, but the claim may not count Chinese players using VPNs to access Steam, so Steam's real numbers could be higher.
Q: What is Project Helix? A: It's the codename for the 10th-generation Xbox, which Sharma describes as a family of devices including a core console and portable options.
Q: Are Xbox's first-party games growing again? A: Yes. After year-over-year declines, Sharma says first-party games are back in growth, with strong openings for several new titles.
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