Five years have flown by since Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx set new standards for virtual reality gaming, and yet, Valve continues to play a pivotal yet understated role in the VR domain. Without much hoopla, Valve has persisted in influencing the VR ecosystem by rolling out consistent updates to SteamVR, aligning with standalone headsets like the Quest, and letting whispers of new wares circulate in the gaming community. As we cross the five-year milestone of Alyx’s launch, the curiosity grows: is Valve still fully invested in VR, or are they quietly stepping back from the innovative space they helped shape? Let’s delve into what we currently know.
The game’s age may seem surprising—has it really been five years? The global pandemic skewed our sense of time, making those years feel shorter. In fact, COVID-19 almost brought the game’s launch to a halt. Released in March 2020, Alyx made its debut during an unprecedented global shutdown as nations began implementing stay-at-home orders. Businesses scrambled to adapt, including Valve Software, the brains behind Alyx. They’ve admitted that if lockdowns had occurred weeks earlier, the game’s release might’ve been delayed. Forced to cancel some promotional events, Valve managed to stay on track for the March 23 release date.
Half-Life: Alyx hasn’t just been praised as the pinnacle of VR or even the Half-Life series; it’s been dubbed one of the greatest games of all time. The acclaim is reflected in its steadfast presence as the 24th top-rated game on Steam’s list of best-rated titles. Valve didn’t just stop there. Their Index VR headset established itself as the premier option for PC VR, with Steam’s extensive VR support becoming the backbone of the industry over the past five years.
Oddly enough, given that legacy, Valve has been pretty mum on their next steps in VR in recent times. There have been virtually no grand announcements of new games or headsets. So what exactly is Valve doing in VR, if anything? Here’s what we’ve uncovered.
SteamVR holds its ground as the cornerstone of PC VR platforms. Valve has been methodically enhancing it, highlighted by a surprise at the end of 2023—the Steam Link app for Quest headsets, simplifying the wireless play of SteamVR games from a PC for Quest users. And they’re not stopping there. Recent data mining hints that Valve is working to extend Steam Link to new headsets, including the Vive Focus and Pico models.
Moreover, Valve appears to be honing in on improving wireless PC VR experiences for standalone headsets. Clues from Valve’s software updates point to a “SteamVR Link Dongle”—likely a USB device aimed at directly linking your PC to your headset, bypassing the need for a router. This promise of a more stable connection, potentially utilizing Wi-Fi 6E, might eliminate connection issues like lag or low-quality visuals that plague gamers with less-than-ideal wireless setups.
The million-dollar—or perhaps, $1,200—question revolves around Valve’s next piece of VR hardware. Since the Index launch in 2019, insights mostly stem from patents filed in 2020, showcasing concepts for a new standalone headset and various ergonomic features. Recently, evidence surfaced suggesting Valve continues working on what’s speculated to be the ‘Deckard’ headset. This device may prioritize streaming content from PCs, offering both VR and traditional flatscreen gaming options, a flexibility suggested by its controller design leaks.
Adding fuel to the speculative fire, a frequent Valve leaker announced plans for the next headset’s 2025 release, priced at $1,200. Backed by recent finds like “Deckard EV2” in SteamVR’s latest update, indicating progression to a production-ready model, it seems feasible that more announcements are on the horizon.
Finally, the anticipation of Valve’s next VR game looms large. While Half-Life: Alyx stunned the world, its shadows leave us wondering whether Valve is prepared to dive into a VR project of similar scale. Insider reports suggest potential games or demos dedicated to the Deckard headset are near completion, aligning with tales from Valve dataminers. Some speculate a return to the Half-Life universe, possibly an asymmetric co-op game that marries VR and traditional gameplay, uniting Valve’s latest hardware ventures.
Valve, true to its spirit, hasn’t officially confirmed these inklings, staying tight-lipped when asked about their next moves in VR. They may not churn out VR innovations annually, but their quiet behind-the-scenes developments suggest a steadfast commitment to VR—a testament to Valve’s unique approach where projects are born from passion and collective belief.
With Valve, the future is always a bit enigmatic, as their distinct management strategy grants employees the freedom to pave their paths. Projects thrive on passion rather than mandates, leading to innovations that are as unpredictable as they are groundbreaking. The steady stream of updates and the occasional nod to future possibilities reveal that Valve, quietly yet purposefully, still sees VR as a venture worth pursuing.
