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[DF] Is Xbox Project Helix a console or a PC?

Is Xbox Project Helix a console or a PC?

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    164
HRK69 said:
Isn't this wrong? I thought the PS5 actually runs a custom version of FreeBSD and not Linux. Plus, it's locked down
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feels game of thrones GIF
 
We don't really know, as we have no clue what them supporting "PC" entails. If it can't actually boot to Windows, install whatever you want, etc. then I don't think even calling it a hybrid is fair, let alone just declaring it a PC.
 
Tobimacoss said:
The Console portion isn't simply for BC. As Helix and Series profiles will apply to the universal SKU created by the unified GDK.


Series Consoles will be running the same Helix SKU, that doesn't make them a PC.
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?

Based on your quote, Series consoles will be running a different build where Series-specific extensions are used. Devs can either just stop at making a Helix SKU or create a Series SKU as well with the extensions. They are not the same SKU. How that prevents the Helix SKU from being used on any other PC for console-only games is a topic of speculation as MS has not addressed it so far.
 
At first I thought PC, and then I thought hybrid. With the most recent comments from Xbox brass, I kind of get the feeling that it's going to be a console composed of expensive PC parts. I guess we'll find out later on today
 
viveks86 said:
Based on your quote, Series consoles will be running a different build where Series-specific extensions are used. Devs can either just stop at making a Helix SKU or create a Series SKU as well with the extensions. They are not the same SKU. How that prevents the Helix SKU from being used on any other PC for console-only games is a topic of speculation as MS has not addressed it so far.
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It would be as simple as having an actual build that doesn't run on Windows 11. It definitely is all speculation, but just because the GDK is behind it all doesn't mean there isn't a more optimized build for an "Xbox OS" version of Windows 11 that general consumers don't have access to.

However there would be little to no reason not to release a PC version outside of not wanting to QA it of that same game but that's really up to the developers. Hell even if it is the exact same build (doubt it), they would be able to flag the game as being available on Helix, PC or Helix + PC.

But yeah this is all speculation, people talking with authority are being really weird.
 
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IntentionalPun said:
It would be as simple as having an actual build that doesn't run on Windows 11. It definitely is all speculation, but just because the GDK is behind it all doesn't mean there isn't a more optimized build for an "Xbox OS" version of Windows 11 that general consumers don't have access to.

However there would be little to no reason not to release a PC version outside of not wanting to QA it of that same game but that's really up to the developers. Hell even if it is the exact same build (doubt it), they would be able to flag the game as being available on Helix, PC or Helix + PC.

But yeah this is all speculation, people talking with authority are being really weird.
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Agreed. My issue is only with the claim that the Helix SKU and the Series SKU are identical for new games being built for Helix. According to MS, it doesn't look like it. The rest is all up in the air at the moment imo.

There might be more clarity in a few minutes. Or not. Lol
 
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ReasonBeing said:
At first I thought PC, and then I thought hybrid. With the most recent comments from Xbox brass, I kind of get the feeling that it's going to be a console composed of expensive PC parts. I guess we'll find out later on today
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You're wrong, because they're not going to explain anything about Helix today.

They're just going to keep blowing smoke.
 
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HRK69 said:
Isn't this wrong? I thought the PS5 actually runs a custom version of FreeBSD and not Linux. Plus, it's locked down
Click to expand...
kevboard

Thread 'Linux on PlayStation 5 is now possible, and people already emulate PS3 on it'

github.com

GitHub - ps5-linux/ps5-linux-loader: Linux payload implementing the HV exploit and a custom bootloader

Linux payload implementing the HV exploit and a custom bootloader - ps5-linux/ps5-linux-loader
github.com github.com
2ZhYZBIqCK03Fe5Z.png

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Its a hybrid but as defined by Microsoft back in 2022 its "hybrid compute" i.e local processing plus "infinite power of the cloud" bullshit like with xbox one.

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amigastar said:
Neural Texture Compression a feature for Project Helix, finally.
Q5sBvdB.png
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It seems "Universal decompression " is not part of Xbox Helix features, probably PS6 costumes silicon hardware solution to decompress bit bus and increasing GPU RAM bandwidth, also " Neural arrays " is not mentioned in here, leading to my theory the features is low level optimization instructions on registers shares, functions to run ML functions. Xbox Helix will just use whatever DX12/13 or Linux has for FSR solutions .
 
I mean, the general consensus has been that it's going to operate in both fields, no? All modern consoles are essentially paired down PCs, but Helix looks like it'll cross closer into full PC territory, while offering console-levels of couch or bedroom ease-of-use.
 
Im all for this approach as it'll make the core PC gaming experiance better and more optimized. Finally we'll see Director Storage and such actively used on the PC
 
The Hybrid option makes me laugh

There's no hybrid possible: it's one or the other

And we know that it isn't a console, so.....

A locked down PC is still a PC, just worse
 
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Sounds like it may turn into Xbox and Xbox PC. No other stores available. Feel like this change is from the new lady. Could be wrong.
 
MisterXDTV said:
The Hybrid option makes me laugh

There's no hybrid possible: it's one or the other

And we know that it isn't a console, so.....

A locked down PC is still a PC, just worse
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I don't see how it isn't possible. My theory is:

- It will look like the regular Windows 11 Xbox UI
- But instead of the "Dashboard overlay" portion just being an app running in Windows that disables services, it'll be a hypervisor like XBox has worked for a couple of generations
- It will be able to launch actual PC games into a Windows 11 environment, I'm leaning towards them only supporting Windows Store games and potentially only ones that are whitelisted to be safe, but we'll see. Many games probably wouldn't work if you didn't actually expose full Windows 11 and I don't think MS will do that, they won't allow 3rd party stores or launchers
- It will also be able to launch Xbox Series games into the same OS environment Xbox series runs games in, including BC titles from previous generations (so nearly full Xbox One support, but limited 360/OG Xbox support). AMD's APU is providing the ability to do this as indicated by the PR surrounding the Magnus chipset
- It will also be able to launch next-gen games into a next-gen OS environment, that is essentially the next-gen Xbox OS. These games may be coded with the same GDK as PC games can be, but the implementation of the APIs can be more highly optimized than what you'd get on a regular PC, even one running in "Xbox Mode." That's basically what XBox console already are running, highly optimized Windows with restricted access to APIs

TLDR: It can be a next-gen console that doesn't have any custom APIs like the current GDK has for Xbox Series that can also launch PC versions of games, thus a hybrid console.

But it's all just speculation.
 
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Tobimacoss said:
Slight distinction, they aren't making a Helix version, they are Optimizing to Helix profile.

They start off with the Xbox PC build, designed to scale hardware, which can run on Helix as is. But Devs can optimize the games for Helix fixed spec profiles to get the store tag. Then they can optimize for Handhelds to get the Handheld Optimized store tag. Then they further optimize for Series consoles which would also run those Series profiles on xCloud until they upgrade to Magnus based hardware which will then run the Helix profiles.

So it's the same Universal SKU, just depends if optimization is mandatory or not, it will be required to get the store tag. For example, Series optimization is mandatory, Handheld Optimized is optional.


It will run the same game created by the unified GDK, which is Xbox PC/Helix SKU. Yes it will be identical to the Series because Series are also running the same SKU. MS will simply block game from Smart Delivery distribution on Xbox PCs. So if they do Opt out Play Anywhere, devs who opt out, simply don't get their games running on Xbox PCs, for whatever licensing or marketing reasons.

But it would be the exact same Universal build.

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So if this machine runs the exact builds of games as the Series X what incentive do current Xbox users have to upgrade?
 
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