Latest news with #ValveDeckard
Tom's Guide
12-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
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… 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. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 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.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Valve Deckard Release Date: VR Headset To Beat Meta Quest 3 Could Be Here Soon
With hardware from Apple, Sony, Meta and HTC, the world of VR headsets is growing apace. One of the most looked forward to is the next device from Valve, whose new model is expected this year and could be the most powerful headset for VR gaming. But a new rumor suggests it could be sooner than that. Meta Quest 3: when will Valve's new VR headset arrive? Code-named Valve Deckard (which arguably gives it the best name of any VR headset to start with), the first leaks happened in 2021. A new report from Tech Radar suggests that the late 2025 release date could be brought forward. 'New details from SadlyItsBradley – a source of several VR hardware leaks in the past – suggest that Valve could be steaming ahead with production, as the company has been importing the equipment needed to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces,' it says. That doesn't sound like the headset will arrive in the coming weeks, of course, but the same source says that Valve has 'received new facial interfaces (not machinery),' which at least indicate that the Deckard is progressing as there's not much else such equipment could be used for. More recently, experimental ARM container tools were announced for Steam and an unreleased beta was found to contain a Linux SteamVR Link driver. All of which is exciting, though as the specialist site, which displays the word NO in a huge font, says, nothing is certain. 'Valve's reputation for 'Valve Time' (prioritizing product quality over deadlines) means the actual release could differ from these projections. The company has never officially confirmed Deckard's existence, despite substantial evidence from code, patents, and reliable third-party reports,' it points out. In which case, we'll all be grateful whenever it arrives. If there was any doubt about the codename, Is Valve Deckard Out explains it: 'The codename 'Deckard' is widely believed to reference Rick Deckard from Blade Runner, following Valve's sci-fi naming pattern (with companion 'Roy' controllers named after Roy Batty from the same film)' it says. In case you don't know, Valve Software was founded in 1996 and its debut game Half-Life, changed everything. I played it then and still play it now.
