Leaks suggest the appearance of Valve’s ‘Deckard’ VR standalone headset, fuelled by hidden 3D fashions within a recent SteamVR update, hinting at an imminent release of a new VR movement controller that could finally bring this long-rumored device to market.
A recent leak has surfaced, courtesy of tech analyst Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch, suggesting the discovery of two unannounced controllers within current SteamVR drivers. Specifically, the findings appear to include a novel VR movement controller dubbed “Roy” and an entirely new gamepad, codenamed “Ibex”.
In stark contrast to typical VR movement controllers, which often feature two motion buttons per controller, the leaked prototype of the Roy model exhibits a more conventional gamepad-style layout: a directional pad on the left controller, four motion buttons on the right, start and select buttons, as well as bumper buttons above each controller’s trigger.
The design ostensibly allows for more seamless integration with traditional gaming controllers, enabling Deckard to leverage Steam’s vast library of flat-screen and VR games.
The image illustrates the rendered styles when imported into Blender, a professional 3D computer graphics creation software. In a recent move to prevent unauthorized access, Valve has issued a hotfix for its SteamVR software, effectively patching up vulnerabilities that would have allowed hackers to obtain sensitive information.
Valve’s veteran leaker, Lynch, has predicted and confirmed numerous leaks before, including this latest development. According to Lynch, each button on Roy’s interface is designed with capacitive contact in mind, aiming to enhance hand skeletal creation. Additionally, he speculates that UI input may rely heavily on Deckard’s touted eye-tracking capabilities.
While most VR headset manufacturers have followed suit with Meta’s Touch controllers since their debut in 2016 alongside the innovative Oculus Rift, Valve has consistently charted its own course.
Valve’s Index (also known as “Knuckles”) controllers enable hands-off interactions through a snug-fitting wrist strap, while also featuring small contact pads on each controller that allow for intuitive UI navigation and can even mimic input for games designed for the original HTC Vive wands.
Since January 2021, Valve Deckard has sparked widespread speculation regarding a potential virtual reality (VR) standalone device after an allegedly revealing string was unearthed in a Steam update. Rumors suggest that Deckard could leverage PC VR’s Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, integrate eye-tracking, and incorporate passthrough AR options, potentially positioning itself as a competitor to the likes of Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
A newly unearthed controller prototype suggests a management architecture reminiscent of Valve’s Steam Deck, codenamed Ibex, mirroring the design principles employed in this pioneering gaming console. A render mannequin thumbnail has been leaked through SteamVR drivers, showcasing Ibex’s innovative Deck-style dual touchpads.
While information miners remain optimistic about glimpsing similar renderings of Deckard itself, the enigmatic project’s secrecy still shrouds it in mystery, with Valve thus far maintaining a steadfast silence on any official details. Considering the corporation’s haste in redacting the two controller designs, it is possible that they may be courting additional software-related leaks at some point in the future.
While it’s unclear whether the controller leaks were intentional or not, software and supply chain breaches occur frequently, with one notable instance being the premature reveal of the Valve Index six months before its official June 2019 launch, showcasing the physical exterior of the PC VR headset in its entirety?
As we enter the next quarter, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Valve’s developments, as the addition of controller designs in SteamVR software may indicate another surprise release – a move that would be consistent with Valve’s history of unexpected announcements.
