Overview
- Windows 11 will add an Xbox Mode starting in April in selected markets, offering a controller-first, distraction-free interface that can be toggled back to the desktop.
- The new interface combines libraries from multiple stores, including the Xbox Store and Steam, and supports installing storefronts without leaving the mode.
- Microsoft reaffirmed that Project Helix is designed to run PC games, positioning Windows as an increasingly central part of the Xbox ecosystem.
- Developer and alpha kits for the next Xbox will not ship before 2027, aligning with AMD’s timeline to complete its semi-custom processor that year.
- AMD’s AI upscaler FSR Diamond is being built for native optimization in Project Helix and deep GDK integration, with Microsoft promising a significant raytracing leap, while reporting suggests a 2028 consumer launch is possible if component costs rise.