Microsoft Reportedly Drops Steam from Xbox Project Helix

Microsoft is reportedly redesigning Xbox Project Helix, a hybrid PC-console device, to limit direct access to Steam and other third-party storefronts in favor of its own marketplace.

The shift, said to be led under Asha Sharma, moves away from a more open model toward tighter control over game purchases and distribution.

Project Helix is still expected to emphasize cross-platform compatibility and premium hardware, with a target launch of November 2026 and a price of about $800 to $1,200.

The change highlights Microsoft’s balancing act between openness, profitability, and ecosystem control as it builds a new gaming hardware category.