Valve's answer to Meta Quest could launch very soon — here's what we know about Valve Deckard
The best VR headsets are growing evermore popular, with the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S leading the charge. But one company that jumped on this train early has been very quiet since 2019.
I'm of course talking about Valve, and after several leaks, we've got the clearest indicator yet that the company's standalone headset may be coming sooner than we think. Code-named Valve Deckard, recent details suggest that production is underway and we could see a Fall 2025 launch.
The leak came from SadlyitsBradley on X, who claims that Valve 'has been importing equipment to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces inside the US.' This equipment produced the same face gaskets that were found on the Valve Index headset.
Pair that with what else we've seen so far, like Valve's VR headset patent application, and the leak last year of the codename Roy controllers for Deckard being prepped for mass production, you can see everything coming together nicely.
So why do all of this machine shifting in the first place? Well, the speculation from SadlyItsBradley (and something I agree with) comes down to self protection from US tariffs. It's a big unknown, and while trade deals seem to be coming down the line between the USA and other countries, it's all a bit up in the air how these will impact exports.
That's why it makes sense to think one step ahead at the moment. Given the rumored bundle price for Valve Deckard of $1,200 (according to Gabe Follower), you don't want that cost to soar with export taxes.
Several people have confirmed that Valve is aiming to release new standalone, wireless VR headset (codename Deckard) by the end of 2025. The current price for the full bundle is set to be $1200. Including some "in-house" games (or demos) that are already done. Valve want to give… pic.twitter.com/alHzQuwNvcFebruary 26, 2025
So what will Deckard bring to the table that the Index didn't? Well first of all, we're expecting the usual suspects: Higher 1440p resolution (given the Quest 3S is a higher resolution than Index), faster 120Hz refresh rate and smaller, more ergonomic controllers. These seem to be confirmed in leaked renders and references in a SteamVR update.
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But the most interesting part is its standalone capabilities, and the fact it'll run SteamOS just like the Steam Deck. This could be significant as rumors are pointing towards Steam Deck games could be played in big-screen mode within the headset – vastly increasing the library of titles you could play on the Deckard.
Pair that with PC connectivity for a higher quality PCVR experience, and you've got something that (on paper) looks set to become the new best gaming VR headset you can buy. Given how much I loved Valve Index, I have faith this could be my next new piece of hardware (particularly for sim racing immersion), but we'll just have to wait and see for later this year.
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'The cross ownership rates historically between people that would own an Xbox or a PlayStation or a gaming PC, and who also own a Nintendo device, have always been pretty high compared to other systems,' Mat Piscatella, executive director for video game coverage at market research firm Circana, told CNN in April. The Switch 2 iterates its predecessor with several new features, including a Game Chat function that lets gamers communicate with other players by tapping a button on the console. Up to 12 players can chat at the same time, and players can share their screen in real time even when playing other games. Nintendo will also allow users to share certain games with other Switch owners while playing in person even if the other player doesn't own the title. 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One new game called 'Drag x Drive' is designed around this idea; players pilot characters in powered-up wheelchair-like vehicles across a basketball court to shoot hoops by sliding and dragging Nintendo's new controllers. In the Switch 2 version of 'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,' players will be able to move the Joy-Con like a mouse for more precise aiming when shooting enemies. 'People who may play on a PC with a mouse and a keyboard, that's an experience they can't replicate,' Bowser said. Nintendo has also given the console hardware a much-needed upgrade. The Switch 2 has a larger 7.9-inch display compared to the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, and the Joy-Cons now snap to the console magnetically, which should make them easier to attach or remove from the console. The console has eight times as much storage as its predecessor and the dock supports 4K resolution, two changes that should give players more room to store games and improve how they look when connected to a compatible TV. 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But Nintendo is launching Switch Edition 2 versions of existing games that enable those titles to take advantage of the Switch 2's new hardware with improved visuals and new gameplay modes. Switch 2 editions of 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' and 'Tears of the Kingdom' are available now, while 'Super Mario Party Jamboree,' 'Kirby and the Forgotten Land' and 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' will get Switch 2 editions later this year. Yes, Nintendo still sells previous Switch models including the $200 Switch Lite, $300 standard Switch and $350 Switch OLED. That's a benefit for shoppers who don't want to shell out $450, but it could also eat into demand for Nintendo's new system — especially since many major new titles aren't out yet. 'The Switch being so successful is a double-edged sword,' Piscatella said ahead of the Switch 2 debut in April. 'On the one hand, a huge, great positive base to build on. On the other hand, a huge target to try to reach in terms of the same level of success.'
