A recent SteamVR update brought an interesting surprise to the gaming community with leaked 3D models hinting at a brand new VR motion controller. This discovery has rekindled discussions about Valve’s rumored standalone VR headset, known as the ‘Deckard.’ The insight comes courtesy of tech enthusiast and YouTuber, Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch, who uncovered two new controllers within the SteamVR drivers: one codenamed ‘Roy’ and another called ‘Ibex.’
Diverging from the typical design of VR motion controllers—usually seen with a couple of action buttons—Roy takes a more classical approach. It features a layout reminiscent of traditional gamepads with a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, and additional start, select, and bumper buttons above each trigger. This setup is seemingly intended to offer seamless compatibility with the vast array of games on Steam, including flatscreen as well as VR titles.
The images, now famous, show these models rendered in Blender, a popular 3D graphics software. However, if you were keen to download these files, you might be out of luck, as Valve swiftly removed them via a recent SteamVR software patch.
Lynch has brought forward several Valve leaks before, and he notes that the Roy controller hints at advanced features. Every button apparently supports capacitive touch, possibly aiding in creating a virtual hand skeleton. Lynch further speculates that some interface inputs might leverage Deckard’s rumored eye-tracking tech.
Since the initial launch of Meta’s Touch controllers back in 2016 with the Oculus Rift, many VR creators have emulated a similar design. Yet, Valve often forges its own path. The Index, or ‘Knuckles’ controllers, allow for freehand interaction thanks to a snug wrist strap, and they feature touchpads for navigating interfaces while still being compatible with older HTC Vive wand games.
Speculation around the Valve Deckard began when data miners unearthed references to it in a Steam update from January 2021. Rumors suggest features like PC VR wireless streaming, eye-tracking, and AR capabilities, potentially making it a contender against the Meta Quest and the Apple Vision Pro.
Another intriguing model found in the leak suggests a control scheme akin to Valve’s portable console, the Steam Deck, dubbed ‘Ibex.’ The leak provides a snapshot in the form of thumbnail renders from SteamVR drivers, showcasing Ibex’s notable dual touchpads reminiscent of the Steam Deck’s style.
While there is still hope among data miners for similar visuals of the Deckard itself, it remains a secret closely guarded by Valve. Given the swift concealment of the controller models, it wouldn’t be surprising if Valve remains cautious about future software leaks.
Whether the unexpected controller leak was an oversight or a calculated move by Valve, such leaks aren’t uncommon. A notable instance was the early reveal of the Valve Index hardware, six months ahead of its official release in June 2019.
We’ll be staying vigilant, watching Valve closely in the months ahead. The presence of these controller models in the SteamVR software suggests the possibility of an unexpected launch, a tactic Valve is no stranger to.
