Five years on, Half-Life: Alyx remains a landmark in the VR gaming world, having set a high bar for both gameplay and immersive experiences. Yet, Valve, the company behind this iconic title, continues to exert its influence on the industry quietly, maintaining a low profile while steadily advancing VR technology. They’ve been discreetly working on integrating with popular standalone headsets like the Quest and keeping the gaming community buzzing with rumors of new hardware and software. As we mark Alyx’s fifth anniversary, a pressing question surfaces: Is Valve still fully committed to VR, or are they stepping back from this field they helped pioneer? Here’s a look at what we know so far.
In what seemed like a flash, five years swept by since the release of Half-Life: Alyx. For those caught in the whirlwind of the global pandemic, it might feel as though only two or three years have flown by.
When the world first confronted COVID-19 back in March 2020, the launch of Alyx nearly faced a delay. The same month the virus spread rapidly, mandatory stay-at-home orders were imposed across much of the U.S., derailing businesses that relied on conventional, in-office operations. Valve, the developer of Alyx, was no exception. Just weeks short of lockdown, the launch might have been put on hold, but thankfully the game debuted as planned on March 23rd. However, the unsettling circumstances did lead Valve to scrap its planned press preview event for the game.
Half-Life: Alyx was more than just a VR game; it was recognized as one of the best games around, maintaining its status on Steam250 as the 24th highest-rated game on the platform. But Valve’s contributions to VR extend beyond a single masterpiece. Known for its ‘Index’ VR headset, Valve has been a cornerstone of PC VR, largely due to Steam’s extensive VR support which has been vital for the industry.
Despite its significant role, Valve has recently kept silent about its future VR plans. No major announcements have been made regarding new games or headsets, leading many to wonder about Valve’s next move in the VR sphere.
### What’s Next for Valve in VR
SteamVR continues to stand tall as the dominant PC VR platform, thanks to Valve’s thoughtful and continuous updates. A notable addition came towards the end of 2023, with the surprise launch of the Steam Link app for Quest headsets, allowing Quest users to enjoy SteamVR games wirelessly from their PCs with added convenience.
Valve doesn’t seem to be stopping with Steam Link. Evidence from datamining hints at a forthcoming expansion to new headsets such as HTC’s Vive Focus and ByteDance’s Pico. Furthermore, we might see enhancements in wireless PC VR for standalone headsets. Speculation abounds regarding a “SteamVR Link Dongle,” a device that could establish a dedicated wireless connection between the headset and the user’s PC.
Currently, the Steam Link requires a connection through your router, which can affect performance, especially for those with less-than-ideal networking setups. With a direct PC-to-headset link bypassing the router, this dongle—purportedly using Wi-Fi 6E—could optimize the experience, potentially improving stutters and pixelation during gameplay.
While it’s uncertain if the dongle will support third-party headsets like Quest or be exclusive to Valve’s rumored ‘Deckard’ headset, it’s a feature we’re excited to see unfold.
### Valve’s Next VR Headset
Since launching the Index headset in 2019, Valve has shown hints of progressing toward a new VR headset. Patents from 2020 have indicated aspirations for standalone headset designs and ergonomic innovations.
While Valve hasn’t officially announced a new headset, signs are emerging. Just recently, new 3D models of VR controllers, supposedly crafted for the next Valve headset, appeared in SteamVR updates, indicating ongoing development.
The speculated ‘Deckard’ headset is thought to operate as a standalone device, capable of streaming content from a PC running SteamVR. The leaked controller designs, which feature a traditional configuration with a D-pad and buttons, suggest the headset might be geared for both immersive VR and standard flat-screen content viewed on a virtual screen.
By utilizing a standard gamepad layout, Valve aims to facilitate smooth transitions between VR and flat-screen games on a virtual display. Recent leaks hint that Deckard, expected to launch in 2025, might come with a price tag of $1,200, but we await further confirmation.
Prominent dataminer Brad Lynch uncovered references to “Deckard EV2” in the latest SteamVR updates, indicative of nearing production—a promising sign for VR aficionados awaiting Valve’s next step.
### Valve’s Next VR Game
When Half-Life: Alyx debuted, it earned widespread acclaim and remains a cornerstone in VR gaming history. However, there’s speculation about whether Valve views its sales success as worth the investment it required.
Rumors suggest Valve may be close to releasing new game content specific to the anticipated Deckard headset. Tyler McVicker, a credible Valve dataminer, suspects another Half-Life installment could be in the works—a potential co-op experience that merges VR and non-VR gameplay, featuring characters like Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance in a collaborative narrative.
Whether this is part of Valve’s vision to unify hardware like the Steam Deck and the Deckard remains to be seen. Valve, as expected, is tight-lipped about their plans or confirming any new hardware or game development. In response to inquiries about their future VR direction, Valve expressed appreciation for community creations on the Alyx Workshop, but disclosed no further details.
### Valve is Unlike Almost Any Other Company
Valve’s approach to innovation is unique, shaped by a flat management structure that empowers its employees in unparalleled ways in the tech industry. The company’s culture allows individuals to pursue ideas they’re passionate about, provided they can lead and inspire collaboration among peers.
This structure facilitates a creative environment where projects gain traction based on merit and enthusiasm rather than traditional top-down directives. It’s a dynamic that enables Valve to exceed expectations, creating content and technology with a relatively lean workforce compared to its competitors.
Despite not rolling out new VR titles or headsets annually, the ongoing refinement of SteamVR and periodic clues of upcoming projects indicate that the spirit of VR development is alive within Valve, driven by those who see VR as the future of gaming.
