Key Takeaways
1. Valve’s new VR headset, informally named “Deckard” and possibly launching as “Steam Frame,” is in large-scale production for a 2025 release.
2. The production is expected to yield between 400,000 and 600,000 units annually, demonstrating Valve’s serious commitment to the VR market.
3. The headset will focus on wireless streaming from PCs, and new controller models have been found in SteamVR code.
4. The launch could reshape the competitive landscape for high-end PC-connected VR and rekindle market interest.
5. Official specifications and pricing are still pending, but the anticipated high price point and standalone streaming capabilities suggest significant hardware improvements.
Valve’s new VR headset is said to have started large-scale production, with fresh insights coming from a Chinese analyst group. This new information also aligns with earlier industry rumors.
Production Details
As per the XR Research Institute, Valve’s upcoming VR headset, which is informally named “Deckard” and may be launched as “Steam Frame,” is currently being manufactured for a planned release in 2025. They estimate that production will result in between 400,000 and 600,000 units each year.
Serious Commitment to VR
These figures highlight Valve’s strong commitment to re-entering the VR hardware market on a large scale. The company has acknowledged through various public announcements and developer codes that they are developing a new headset that emphasizes wireless streaming from PCs. Mentions of “Deckard” have been spotted in SteamVR code since at least 2021. Additionally, towards the end of 2024, new “Roy” controller models, which look similar to the Oculus Touch, were discovered in SteamVR clues. A trademark application for “Steam Frame” along with newer code snippets suggests that this is likely to be the final product name, moving away from the Deckard label.
Impact on the Market
With shipments anticipated this year, the launch of this device could significantly influence the competitive landscape and rekindle interest in high-end PC-connected VR. Previous speculations have indicated a high price point, standalone streaming capabilities with PC tethering, and substantial hardware enhancements, but official confirmation of these specifications is still awaited. Given that the latest leak points to a 2025 launch, an official announcement should be forthcoming soon.
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