Valve has been stirring the gaming scene with whispers of its standalone XR headset, reportedly codenamed ‘Deckard,’ ever since the first clue about it emerged in 2021. Recently, Brad Lynch, a tech analyst better known as ‘SadlyItsBradley,’ uncovered some telling information suggesting that Valve might finally be ramping up the production efforts for this eagerly anticipated device.
Despite the buzz, details about Deckard remain elusive. Hints suggest it could be a standalone headset that also supports wireless streaming of PC VR games, setting it up to compete with devices like the Meta Quest and Apple’s Vision Pro.
Brad Lynch, who has a knack for digging up XR industry secrets, claims that Valve has started importing equipment to produce VR headset facial interfaces in the United States. According to Lynch, this equipment comes from Teleray Group, the same company that was behind the gaskets for the Valve Index and the HP G2 Omnicept. He shared this insight via a post on X.
Considering that the Valve Index is approaching its six-year mark, it seems unlikely that Valve is focusing on prototyping parts for such an old model. This points to the possibility that they’re developing it for their next big leap in the XR domain.
The move to manufacture in the U.S. might be a strategic response to navigate the higher tariffs on Chinese imports recently imposed by President Donald Trump. However, Lynch notes that Valve is utilizing a U.S.-based facility that was once used for making their Lighthouse 2.0 base stations, which hasn’t been in use for nearly two years.
Lynch speculates, “Could it be that Valve wants to use this facility to craft new components for the Deckard while it’s on the market, thus easing tariff concerns? Or maybe they’re even planning to prototype new HMD gasket designs close to home at Valve. That latter idea seems less likely since they probably already have smaller R&D setups for years now.”
Conversations and speculations have swirled around Deckard for close to four years, with countless leaks and reports. However, the latest buzz points to a production phase imminent, suggesting that its public debut might be just around the corner.
In November 2024, an update to SteamVR included leaked 3D models showcasing a new VR motion controller named ‘Roy.’ This controller veers away from conventional VR layouts, embracing a more gamepad-like design rather than the typical Touch layout. If Valve is committed to this design choice, it means Deckard could deliver a seamless input experience akin to that of the Steam Deck.
Early this year, the prolific leaker ‘Gabe Follower’ alleged that Valve aims to release Deckard by the end of 2025 with a price tag of around $1,200. Gabe Follower indicated that this pricing strategy implies that Deckard will be sold at a loss. There’s also talk that Deckard might run an adapted version of the SteamOS, initially seen on the Steam Deck, now tweaked for VR functionality.
