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Valve's answer to Meta Quest could launch very soon — here's what we know about Valve Deckard
Valve's answer to Meta Quest could launch very soon — here's what we know about Valve Deckard

Tom's Guide

time12-05-2025

  • 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.

Valve's upcoming Deckard VR headset rumored for release in 2025 - but the price will no doubt upset some gamers
Valve's upcoming Deckard VR headset rumored for release in 2025 - but the price will no doubt upset some gamers

Yahoo

time28-02-2025

  • Yahoo

Valve's upcoming Deckard VR headset rumored for release in 2025 - but the price will no doubt upset some gamers

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Valve's new headset is reported to cost $1,200 in a bundle The company is allegedly selling the headsets at a loss Sources claim you'll be able to play Steam Deck games on it The upcoming Valve VR headset, codenamed 'Deckard', is rumored to launch towards the the end of 2025 and is alleged to cost $1,200, according to fresh claims from a well-known content creator. According to Gabe Follower, a content creator with over 200,000 followers on X, the new Valve Deckard VR headset will be available as a full bundle for $1,200, which allegedly includes some games, as well as the two "Roy" controllers. Despite the high price tag, it is claimed that it will be "sold at a loss" by Valve. As well as playing virtual reality games, it is believed the headset will also be able to play "flat games" akin to the Steam Deck with no requirements of using an external monitor or TV. Gabe Follower claims that "Valve want to give the user the best possible experience without cutting any costs." Additionally, it's been said that the models for the "Roy" controllers were visible in a SteamVR update. Allegedly, the new VR headset will support a modified version of SteamOS as seen in the Steam Deck, but tailored for a virtual reality experience. The controllers appear to do away with the traditional ring design of the company's previous model, the Valve Index, in favor of something more akin to the Meta Quest 3S. As a standalone device that can also be plugged into a PC, it's currently unknown what kind of hardware Valve's new VR headset will feature, with some concerns that it could struggle to achieve its rumored 120Hz refresh rate with a claimed resolution of 1440p across two screens. Similarly, there has been no mention of the expected battery life at this time. Previously, in September 2023, Valve certified an unannounced hardware device in South Korea, and the company hinted towards the next generation of its VR headsets. Product Designer Greg Coomer said, "I can definitely say that we are continuing to develop VR headsets recently. Valve has a lot of expertise in VR devices and has faith in the medium and VR games." While the PC-tethered Valve Index launched at $999 back in June 2019, the upcoming Deckard standalone VR headset looks to be pricier at $1,200 for the "full bundle". As an all-in-one device, its main competition will not be from high-end PC VR options such as the HTC Vive Pro 2 and the Pimax Crystal but the likes of the Pico 4 and (most crucially) the Meta Quest 3, as well as the cheaper Meta Quest 3S. Most standalone headsets come in significantly cheaper than the alleged price of the Valve Deckard. For instance, the Meta Quest 3 retails for $499.99 for the 512GB model, with the Meta Quest 3S costing even less, starting from $299.99 for the 128GB version. Additionally, the Pico 4 Ultra, a mid-range all-in-one headset, retails for the equivalent of $670, although it's currently not yet available in the US. That puts Valve's upcoming VR standalone headset into a tough market where it's a high-end headset aimed primarily at PC gamers that also costs anywhere from double (or triple) the bulk of its competition. While its functionality (essentially doubling as a wearable Steam Deck) does sound intriguing, that's an incredibly high asking price given the current state of the market, eclipsing all of the mainstream options available right now. We won't know if the Valve Deckard is worthwhile until we see it in action or test it ourselves, so it's too early to judge its qualities based on just the rumored pricing. However, factoring in it costs more than the Index by $200 (and far more now since sales) and many of its competitors, it seems like a niche product for a smaller subset of PC gamers who also want to play a premium for wearable Steam Deck use, when they likely already have the handheld in their homes to begin with. With that said, it could be a smash-hit success as an encompassing solution for replacing monitors and TVs if you're someone who lives in a cramped space. As we saw with the Steam Deck's meteoric rise in popularity over the last three years, with the competition now incredibly fierce, the Deckard could be doing something that catches on and ends up being imitated and innovated upon by others. If this is to happen, though, it'll need to offer a far lower MSRP than what's alleged here. How to recover files in Windows 11 What is AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT has allegedly leaked at $699

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