Back in 2021, whispers began swirling around about Valve’s standalone XR headset, supposedly known by its codename, ‘Deckard’. Fast forward to the present, and it seems like these speculations are inching towards reality. Tech analyst and well-known VR commentator Brad Lynch, also known as ‘SadlyItsBradley,’ has come across some tidbits suggesting that Valve might be gearing up to produce this much-anticipated device.
Despite all the intrigue, Deckard remains largely an enigma, with most info trickling in through rumors. What we do think we know is that Valve is aiming for a standalone headset that can also wirelessly stream PC VR games. If true, this would position it as a rival to the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
Lynch, who’s quite familiar with XR industry leaks, has shared that Valve has recently been bringing in “equipment to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces within the USA.”
In a post on X, Lynch elaborates that “This equipment is being supplied by Teleray Group, who were also involved in making gaskets for the Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept.”
Considering the Valve Index has been around for nearly six years, it’s improbable that Valve is designing new facial interfaces for this aging PC VR headset. This leaves us with the exciting prospect of a fresh entry into the XR world.
What isn’t clear is whether Valve’s decision to make components in the US is a maneuver to dodge the recently hiked tariffs on China, initiated by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Interestingly, Lynch adds that Valve is utilizing the same US-based facility that was once used for making the Lighthouse 2.0 base stations and had been empty for nearly two years.
“Maybe […] they plan to use this facility for producing new components during Deckard’s lifespan, possibly bypassing some tariff woes(?), or it could be for prototyping future headset designs close to or at Valve. Although, my bet leans towards them having had small-scale R&D gear for years now,” Lynch muses.
After four years of whispers and leaks, it seems like the fog might finally be lifting on Deckard. The latest hints strongly suggest that Valve is moving into production mode, indicating that an official reveal might not be that far off.
In a recent development from November 2024, 3D models tucked away in a SteamVR update revealed a new VR motion controller, tagged as ‘Roy.’ Unlike the typical VR motion controller design, Roy opts for a classic gamepad-style button layout over the more common Touch layout. If Valve sticks with this design, it could mean Deckard might offer a game interface closely aligned with the Steam Deck.
Earlier this year, in February, notable leaker and data miner ‘Gabe Follower’ reported that Deckard might hit the shelves by the end of 2025, with an anticipated price tag of $1,200. Gabe Follower suggests that the hefty price will be a loss for Valve, who also mentions that Deckard is expected to run on the same SteamOS platform seen in the Steam Deck, albeit modified to suit VR needs.
