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Microsoft Says It’s ‘Long on Gaming’ as Next-Gen Project Helix Heads to GDC

Satya Nadella told employees the company will always invest in gaming, countering talk that Xbox is being wound down.

Overview

  • In an internal Q&A with new Xbox chief Asha Sharma, Nadella called gaming a core Microsoft identity and said Xbox at its best lifts the entire company.
  • Microsoft’s communications lead Frank X. Shaw rejected a viral claim that Nadella gave Sharma a “blank check” to revive Xbox.
  • Sharma confirmed development of Project Helix, described as a high‑end system that will play Xbox and PC games, with timing, pricing, and form factor still undisclosed.
  • Microsoft is preparing developer briefings at GDC, where Xbox’s booth messaging highlights “the future of Xbox starts now,” and VP Jason Ronald is slated to discuss what comes next.
  • Nadella signaled Xbox will keep extending beyond traditional consoles, and reporting indicates Microsoft has tested a free, ad‑supported cloud gaming tier in select markets.