Microsoft manager Asha Sharma spoke about the project, showing the Project Helix logo and confirming that the device will be able to run Xbox and PC games. In essence, the company confirmed earlier rumors: this is a hybrid that combines the console format and the more open architecture familiar from computers.
After the announcement, Keighley wrote that Microsoft had presented Helix as the codename for an "Xbox device based on a PC." It was this wording that triggered a strong reaction. Many players noted that Sharma was talking about a console, not an ordinary PC, so Keighley's words were seen as misleading.
Journalist Tom Warren also joined the discussion. He asked whether Keighley considers such a format a console at all. In response, the host compared Helix to a Steam Machine, which angered some Xbox fans even more.
Jez Corden also joined the discussion. He reminded everyone of the key difference: Steam Machine runs PC versions of games, whereas Helix is supposed to support Xbox console versions.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft's new device is meant to combine the openness of a PC with the compatibility of the Xbox console ecosystem, meaning it is not just a "PC in a box," but a new console format.