According to a reputable source, Valve is reportedly working on a successor to its Steam Controller, which was initially introduced as part of the Steam Machine initiative nearly a decade ago.
According to Bradley Lynch, aka SadlyItsBradley, Valve’s revamped Steam Controller, code-named “Ibex”, has begun mass production.
The codename for Steam Controller 2 is reportedly “Ibex”?
What distinguishes this product from Deckard’s “Roy” controller(s)?
Machines are being equipped for large-scale production in their respective factories at present. They’re already positioned in higher tiers of product development.
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley)
The existence of additional details remains uncertain, including whether the new controller resembles the original Steam Controller or draws inspiration from the Steam Deck’s controls, with Lynch having shared mockups in a separate post. Lynch praised a design concept featuring standard joysticks situated above dual trackpads, declaring it “a lot nearer” to his expectations than other iterations he had encountered.
According to Lynch, datamining of SteamVR code suggests the existence of a novel VR controller, codenamed “Roy,” which is expected to accompany a long-speculated VR headset referred to as “Deckard” – a device previously covered by our publication. Valve has reportedly filed a patent for a standalone virtual reality (VR) headset that does not necessitate a PC connection, effectively addressing one of the most significant shortcomings of its flagship product, the Valve Index.
The latest leak provides further insight into Roy’s capabilities, including hand monitoring, physical buttons similar to standard ABXY controls and grip buttons, with most of these capable of offering capacitive touch options. Additionally, new details emerge regarding Deckard. The advanced features of this system include comprehensive facial recognition technology, mirroring the capabilities found in the renowned Quest Professional model.
The Valve Index controllers boast a comprehensive feature set, including: D-pad, bumpers, grip buttons, triggers, A/B/X/Y paddles, system button, and adjustable straps for customizable ergonomics.
I am informed about this matter primarily through data analysis and unnamed sources.
An unreleased OpenXR extension exists specifically for these controllers.
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley)
Lynch’s history of high-profile hardware leaks includes a notable incident a year ago, when he revealed details about Meta’s Venture Cambria – later confirmed as the Meta Quest Pro, a premium virtual reality headset.
While Valve has historically maintained a stronger presence in software, it has been exploring opportunities in hardware, including the development of the Steam Machine – a series of compact, Linux-based PCs designed to enable PC gaming on television sets via SteamOS. Despite its limitations upon release, the device’s requirements for additional equipment hindered its functionality, whereas an oversaturated market made it difficult to stand out; nonetheless, its innovative spirit laid the groundwork for the Steam Deck, which has successfully inaugurated a fresh era of portable gaming devices.
