Next Xbox Could Get Asus And MSI Versions, But Microsoft Says Its Own Console Is Still Happening

Microsoft’s next Xbox plan is starting to look less like one single living-room box and more like a small ecosystem of Xbox-powered machines.

According to leaker Kepler L2, shared via NeoGaf, Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix custom AMD chipset may not be limited to one Microsoft-made console. The claim is that the chip will not be sold directly as a loose component, but consumers could eventually buy complete Helix devices from brands such as Asus, MSI, and potentially other OEMs.

In simple terms: your next-gen Xbox might not only come from Microsoft. It could also arrive as an Asus or MSI machine built around the same Xbox-focused silicon.

Microsoft says a proper Xbox console is still coming

This is where things get interesting. Xbox VP Jason Ronald responded publicly by saying that Project Helix will be available as a first-party Xbox console. That does not deny the possibility of partner-made machines. It mainly confirms that Microsoft is still building its own official next-gen Xbox hardware.

That confirmation matters because Xbox fans have been understandably nervous. Microsoft has already pushed the idea that Xbox is a platform rather than just a box under your TV. It also recently killed its "This is an Xbox" campaign, which had already blurred the line between console, PC, handheld, cloud, and basically anything that can run Xbox games.

The ROG Xbox Ally X also showed where Microsoft is heading: Xbox branding on hardware that feels closer to PC handheld culture than traditional console culture. If Asus and MSI really are part of the Project Helix picture, Microsoft may be leaning even harder into that PC-console hybrid strategy.

Why Malaysian and SEA players should care

For Malaysia and the wider SEA market, this could be either very good or very messy.

The good part: more hardware partners could mean more choices. Asus and MSI already have strong gaming presence here, from laptops to handheld PCs, and their devices are commonly available through local retailers, Shopee, Lazada, and major tech stores. If an Asus or MSI Xbox-style machine launches officially in Malaysia, warranty and availability might be better than importing a niche console.

The messy part: consoles are supposed to be simple. You buy one PlayStation or Xbox, and you know roughly what performance to expect. If Project Helix becomes a family of machines with different RAM, storage, thermals, and price points, suddenly console buying starts to feel like shopping for a gaming laptop. Bro, that can get pening fast.

This matters especially in SEA, where pricing can make or break a device. A standard first-party Xbox gives players one clear target. But if OEM versions arrive with upgraded specs, the Malaysian price gap could be brutal, especially if memory costs affect pricing and stock as previously warned by Asha Sharma.

Xbox versus Steam Machine energy

The bigger picture is Microsoft preparing for a future where Valve’s Steam Machine and SteamOS-powered hardware push PC gaming deeper into the living room. Instead of defending the old console wall, Microsoft may be trying to make Xbox flexible enough to compete in that same space.

That could be exciting if it means one box can handle Xbox games, PC releases, Game Pass, and maybe more open storefront options. But it also risks making Xbox feel less plug-and-play. Console players usually do not want to research configurations, performance tiers, or which model gets the best frame rate.

For now, the only solid confirmation is this: Microsoft says there will be an official first-party Project Helix Xbox. The Asus and MSI angle remains rumour territory until Microsoft announces partners properly.

Still, if these leaks are accurate, the next Xbox generation could be the weirdest one yet — not just Xbox Series X 2, but a whole lineup of Xbox-flavoured machines. For Malaysian gamers, the key questions will be simple: how much in RM, official local support or not, and whether Game Pass still feels worth it on the hardware.

Source: GamesRadar