Valve, the firm behind the Index VR headset, stormed into the XR space in 2019 with the powerful device that introduced a new level of immersion for VR enthusiasts.
Since the 2019 debut of the Index VR headset, Valve has remained quiet concerning a long-term immersive hardware portfolio. However, the firm has revealed small insights into its next potential headset across the past year. If Valve follows in the footsteps of its Index device, then the firm may see success in revolutionising the XR marketplace once again.
Following leaks and speculation, Valve Designer Lawrence Yang gave details about a new XR headset when talking about the firm’s latest mobile gaming device: Steam Deck OLED.
Lawrence Yang noted that Valve acknowledges the “overlap” of mobile computing technology between the firm’s Steam Deck OLED, seemingly developing the Deck and an XR headset side-by-side.
Yang explained:
Obviously, there’s a lot of overlap from technology pieces that we can use; wireless streaming is very applicable to VR. That benefitted Steam Deck as well in improving the wireless experience. But also from just establishing relationships with part suppliers, hardware partners, and that kind of stuff. The SteamVR team and the Steam Deck team work together. There’s a lot of inoculation of ideas, parts and technologies.
Moreover, Yang says that many hardware decisions inform Valve in designing its next XR headset, such as the miniaturisation of computing.
Yang stated:
Just like Steam Deck is learning a bunch of stuff from controllers and VR, future products will continue to learn from everything we’ve done with Steam Deck.
Yang also noted that Valve doesn’t “have anything to announce today in terms of a VR other than we are still working on VR, and we’re still pushing forward on it.”
SteamVR v2 Launches Last Month
Valve introduced SteamVR 2.0 last month, bringing usability updates to the popular PCVR dashboard for Index users and beyond via a revamped user dashboard. The move comes as Valve seemingly works towards a new XR headset – perhaps setting up a software foundation to support new first-party hardware.
SteamVR 2.0 adds Steam and Steam Deck elements into the dashboard ecosystem. New features include an updated keyboard that supports dual-cursor typing, further language support, Steam Chat/Voice Chat integration, an improved storefront that displays the latest VR releases, and Steam notifications.
Moreover, SteamVR 2.0 enhances the platform with various fixes, including general performance, controller, driver optimisations, and improved usability of Meta headsets.
A statement from Valve explained:
In this release we’re bringing all of what’s new and exciting on the Steam platform into VR. This is our first big step in a larger ongoing effort to better unify the Steam ecosystem for all users, providing a more consistent experience across devices. This update also allows us to add new Steam features in the future much faster and more frequently.
New Valve Headset on the Way?
News of a sophomore Valve XR headset is sparse. Leaks and rumours fuel speculation about the device leading towards 2024.
In June 2022, Valve first fueled rumours after the firm filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which gave fans a first look at a prototype XR headset known as “Deckard.”
Valve’s USPTO request highlighted how Deckard would support mixed and augmented reality (MR/AR) functions via integrated hardware that ensures passthrough quality and considerations – mirroring the eventual rise of MR headsets in 2023. Moreover, the filling revealed that the device incorporates a sturdy head mounting system to improve upon conventional headset designs.
In June 2022, further leaks emerged, suggesting that the Steam MR headset may be a standalone product through a series of hidden features on Valve’s SteamVR hub offering support for a native mobile VR headset.
The leaks reveal hidden playroom setup features on the previous version of Steam VR that enable users to assign their floor level and playroom boundary size, guiding the user through the process while still wearing a Valve-brand headset.
The firm’s hidden playroom process works differently from its current approach for the Valve Index, requiring a tethered device, allowing operators to design a space without needing external tracking cameras or cables.
Instead, the latest feature suggests that Valve is debuting a service to enable users to create a playspace while wearing a standalone headset, similar to the fillings found in the rumoured Deckard device.
Valve also added increased features to its SteamVR Home environment in May 2022. In SteamVR v1.22, the platform introduced immersive environments based on photogrammetry captures.
The update lets users download and explore an accurately captured path in Fornalutx, Mallorca. Valve digitised the real-world location using roughly 640 photos. Using Epic Games’ recently acquired Reality Capture software, the firm combined the 2D source files into a real-time 3D (RT3D) environment. The move again mirrors attempts by Meta and Apple to create an immersive home space for users to access applications via a landing page dashboard.
