Microsoft has confirmed it will "continue the precedent" by highlighting competing platforms during its upcoming 2026 Xbox Showcase, but don't expect to hear anything about the next-gen Helix device.
Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty set the stage during an appearance on the Official Xbox Podcast today. He told players to expect the company to be transparent about what platforms its games are coming to, meaning you'll probably see a PlayStation logo or two pop up when this year's summer Xbox Showcase happens in June.
"We'll be very clear about what platforms a game is coming to and want to continue the precedent," Booty said. "I think we've got a good system going, where we make it clear in Showcase."
Although Microsoft has signaled an interest in returning to Xbox exclusive titles, its ongoing multiplatform strategy has seen a number of titles in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 for years. It means you can still expect games like Fable and Halo: Campaign Evolved to come to PS5, with the Showcase serving as an opportunity to double down on that promise.
As for Helix, Microsoft's mysterious next-gen console, it looks like Microsoft still wants to keep its cards close to its chest. Instead of providing details about the future of its Xbox strategy, the June event will focus on its games.
"We really want to focus on the teams and on the games, and this is not going to be a place where we're going to talk strategy, broadly. There are certainly some strategic things that are out there and things we want to bring clarity to, but the focus here is on the games. For the long term, we want to make the right decisions, not fast decisions.
"I can also say that there won't be Helix news, so Helix will not be in this Showcase. Again, we want to get everything about that right."
Microsoft announced a new gaming console was in the works back in June 2025 but didn't go on to give it its Helix codename until March of this year. Little about the device has been confirmed outside of the promise that it will be able to play both Xbox and PC games. For now, we can only expect to learn more later this year.
Microsoft will hold its Xbox Showcase and Gears of War: E-Day Direct June 7. For more, you can read about the company's decision to delay Fable's launch until 2027. You can also read about the "hard choices" promised by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, and the steps Microsoft is taking to keep fan feedback in mind.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).