Valve’s rumored standalone XR headset, codenamed ‘Deckard’, has been the topic of hypothesis since point out was first found again in 2021. Now, data obtained by tech analyst and VR pundit Brad Lynch (aka ‘SadlyItsBradley‘) factors to Valve gearing up manufacturing for the long-awaited gadget.
Deckard continues to be largely a thriller, though rumors counsel Valve’s subsequent headset might be a standalone gadget that may additionally wirelessly stream PC VR video games, ostensibly placing it competitors with Meta Quest and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
Lynch, who is commonly concerned in XR business leaks, maintains Valve has been lately importing “gear to fabricate VR headset facial interfaces contained in the USA.”
“The gear is being offered by Teleray Group who additionally manufactured the gaskets for the Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept,” Lynch says in an X put up.
Valve Index is sort of six years previous now, so it’s unlikely the corporate is trying to prototype facial interfaces for the growing older PC VR headset, which actually solely leaves its long-awaited subsequent entry into the XR section.
It’s unsure whether or not Valve’s transfer to fabricate key components within the US is an effort to sidestep elevated tariffs on China, which US President Donald Trump levied in latest days.
Lynch nonetheless experiences that Valve is utilizing the identical US-based facility beforehand devoted to manufacturing the corporate’s Lighthouse 2.0 base stations, which Valve cleared out practically two years in the past.
“Perhaps […] they needed to make use of that facility for manufacturing some new parts within the years they’ve Deckard available on the market, dodging some tariff pressures(?), [or maybe] prototyping future HMDs gasket designs close to/at Valve. This feature I doubt since I’d wager they have already got small scale R&D gear already for a few years,” Lynch speculates.
Having been the topic of rumor for practically 4 years now, there’s been a mountain of experiences and leaks regarding Deckard. The latest experiences nonetheless level to Valve really gearing up manufacturing, which might counsel we’re not very removed from its unveiling.
In November 2024, leaked 3D fashions hidden in a SteamVR replace appeared to point out off a brand new VR movement controller, codenamed ‘Roy’, which departs from normal VR movement controller layouts by providing a extra conventional gamepad-style button structure as an alternative of the now widely-adopted Contact structure. Supplied Valve is about on that design, it may imply Deckard will provide a 1:1 enter expertise with Steam Deck.
Then, in February, a report from serial leaker and knowledge miner ‘Gabe Follower’ urged Valve is releasing Deckard by the top of 2025, priced at $1,200. Gabe Follower maintains that Deckard’s rumored $1,200 value level “might be offered at a loss,” who additional posits Deckard will use the identical SteamOS as seen in Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld, albeit tailored for VR.
