Microsoft is reconsidering its approach to Xbox console hardware in the wake of the ongoing RAMageddon crisis, a global shortage of memory chips that has disrupted electronics supply chains. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and strategy chief Matthew Ball have both indicated this week that the company is reevaluating plans for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix.
In a statement to The Verge, Sharma said: 'We are exploring radically different business models for our next console. The RAMageddon crisis has forced us to rethink everything from hardware design to how we bring products to market.' Ball added that the shortage has made traditional console launches 'unsustainable' in the current climate.
The RAMageddon crisis, which began in late 2025, has led to a severe shortage of DDR5 and GDDR7 memory modules, driving up costs for console manufacturers. Microsoft had originally planned to launch Project Helix in late 2027, but sources suggest the timeline may now slip to 2028 or later.
Microsoft has not confirmed specific details about Project Helix's hardware specifications or pricing. The company is expected to provide more information at its annual Xbox Games Showcase later this month.
