The next era of Xbox has been officially announced as Project Helix, but it may be a while yet before the platform, presumed to be a PC/console hybrid of sorts, is christened with its official name. Even before its unveiling, though, fans are preparing for another naming disaster from Microsoft’s gaming division.
Xbox’s next console was announced as Project Helix nearly two weeks ago, and prospective players immediately predicted that this code name would be better than its official title. In a Reddit thread from user FernandoRocker about the announcement, the top comment from u/Logondo says, “Their code names are always better than the real names.” Xbox has a history of confusing console names, and the advent of Project Helix may be a sign that the cycle is starting anew.
Xbox’s Project Helix Will Launch Under A Different Name
Practically no one expects the new Xbox console to ultimately be called Helix; Microsoft has consistently made its Xbox console code names public as part of each new device’s pre-release marketing. Predicting the name of the new Xbox is practically impossible, though. There has been almost no discernible pattern to how the Xbox consoles are named, and it’s a facet of the brand that is frequently ridiculed, even when just a code name is revealed.
The aforementioned Reddit thread and many other discussions of Project Helix in the last couple of weeks have harped on what the new platform may be called, predicting yet another underwhelming name. With the console brand’s lineup thus far consisting of the Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S, the possibilities are effectively endless. It’s also further complicated by its apparent status as a PC with an Xbox overlay – a whole new naming strategy may be in play.
Xbox’s Code Names Are Always Better
It’s a bit odd that Xbox has fumbled its last couple console names, considering how compelling their code names usually are. Here are some of the Xbox console in-development project names that are superior to the final product name:
Xbox One: Project Durango
Xbox One X: Project Scorpio
Xbox One S: Project Edmonton
Xbox Series X/S family: Project Scarlett
Xbox Series X: Project Anaconda
Xbox Series S: Project Lockhart
I’m a bit conflicted about the Xbox 360’s code name – Project Xenon sounds awesome, but I’m partial to the once-goofy 360 name. Many would also readily admit that some of the code names aren’t stellar console names either, like Xbox Lockhart doesn’t really have a great ring to it. But it’s better than Series S, especially considering all the confusion that this generation’s naming conventions have caused with last gen’s.
Xbox Project Helix’s Official Name Has Fans Concerned
