Half a decade ago, Half-Life: Alyx burst onto the VR gaming scene, setting a new standard and capturing the attention of players all around the globe. Despite the fanfare, Valve has maintained a relatively quiet presence since then, subtly influencing the VR world through ongoing updates to SteamVR and collaborating with popular standalone headsets like Quest. As we reflect on Alyx’s fifth anniversary, one big question lingers: Is Valve still committed to pushing VR boundaries, or are they gradually stepping back? Let’s explore what we know about their journey so far.
It’s amazing how time flies—a global pandemic can trick us into thinking it was just yesterday that we were exploring the depths of Half-Life: Alyx. Launched in March 2020, right as the world was caught in the chaos of COVID-19 lockdowns, Valve faced the daunting possibility of delaying its highly anticipated launch. The pandemic forced them to cancel their sole press preview event, yet they managed to stick to their release date of March 23rd.
Heralded as one of the greatest VR titles—and certainly among the best in the Half-Life franchise—Alyx holds a prestigious spot on Steam250’s all-time top-rated games, ranking 24th. But Valve’s influence goes beyond a single groundbreaking game. Their Index VR headset quickly became the hot choice for PC VR enthusiasts, and Steam’s extensive VR support has been instrumental in sustaining the PC VR market over the past five years.
Despite this pivotal role, Valve’s plans for VR have been largely mysterious in recent times. They’ve made no splashy announcements about new headsets or VR projects, leaving us all wondering what exactly they’re up to.
The Future of Valve in VR
Let’s not forget that SteamVR continues to be the backbone of PC VR, consistently enhanced with gradual yet significant updates. Notably, Valve rolled out the Steam Link app for Quest headsets at the end of 2023, streamlining wireless play of SteamVR games for Quest users.
Rumors hint that Steam Link could soon extend its compatibility to other headsets like HTC’s Vive Focus and Bytedance’s Pico. In addition, indications suggest Valve is looking to refine wireless PC VR experiences for standalone headsets. Clues within Valve’s software point to a "SteamVR Link Dongle," anticipated as a USB solution to establish a direct link between your PC and headset.
Currently, Steam Link’s wireless setup relies on your router to communicate with your PC, which can falter in dense or less-than-ideal wireless environments. Eliminating this intermediary step with a dedicated dongle, likely leveraging Wi-Fi 6E, could optimize the connection quality, providing a smoother VR experience free from stutters and pixelation.
However, whether this dongle will support third-party headsets like Quest or is geared specifically for Valve’s speculated ‘Deckard’ headset remains a puzzle.
Valve’s Next VR Headset
Following 2019’s Index launch, whispers about Valve’s next major VR device have surfaced, beginning with patents unveiled in 2020. These documents introduced intriguing concepts, including a fully standalone headset and innovative ergonomic tweaks.
Though no formal announcements have been made, a steady flow of leaks and datamining hints suggests that Valve is indeed crafting a new VR headset—a project that’s advancing at its own deliberate pace.
Fresh developments emerged just a few months back with a newly discovered 3D model of unexposed VR controllers found in SteamVR files, indicating Valve’s persistent work on a new headset. These controllers not only rejuvenate hopes for hardware enthusiasts but could also imply the strategic direction Valve might take with their VR gear.
The much-speculated ‘Deckard’ headset—possibly destined to carry the moniker ‘Index 2’—might function as a standalone device intent on streaming SteamVR content from a PC. If so, its controller configuration (featuring a classic D-pad and face buttons) could bridge the gaming experiences between VR and flatscreen mode on a sizeable virtual stage.
More recently, a prolific source alleged that this upcoming headset is set to launch in 2025 with a price tag hovering around $1,200. While this claim lacks independent verification, corroborating evidence from datamining references to a “Deckard EV2” in the latest SteamVR release keeps the speculation alive.
Valve’s Upcoming VR Game
Half-Life: Alyx still echoes in the VR hall of fame, known for its comprehensive design and exhilarating gameplay. Nonetheless, whether Valve found the commercial returns justifying the endeavor is still debatable. The prospect of a similar venture remains uncertain, though there are clues worth examining.
A known leaker purports that Valve might soon release content designed for the Deckard, aligning with assertions from Tyler McVicker, a well-recognized Valve detective. He believes Valve is developing another VR adventure, possibly within the Half-Life universe, potentially featuring an asymmetric co-op setup combining the perspectives of a flatscreen and VR player.
In this envisioned scenario, a PC player could assume Gordon Freeman’s role, while a VR player experiences the narrative as Alyx Vance, intertwining their stories through co-op dynamics.
Perhaps Valve is engineering this game to seamlessly complement their hardware innovations like the Steam Deck and Deckard? Although Valve remains tight-lipped, they did share their enthusiasm for community-driven creations stemming from the Half-Life: Alyx Workshop.
Valve’s Unique Stand
To truly understand Valve’s approach, it’s vital to recognize its unconventional organizational style—a flat management structure giving employees significant autonomy on what projects to embark on. Employees essentially lead their work efforts based on shared enthusiasm and collaboration. This concept fosters passion-driven projects, and with Valve’s reputation for drawing top-tier talent, they often deliver products that punch well above their weight.
Valve might not flood the market annually with new VR offerings, but consistent upgrades to SteamVR and whispers of skunkworks projects suggest there’s still a dedicated team within the company committed to expanding VR horizons.
