Since the whispers about Valve’s standalone XR headset, mysteriously referred to as ‘Deckard’, surfaced back in 2021, the gaming community has been buzzing with anticipation. Recent insights from tech analyst and VR enthusiast Brad Lynch, known in the community as ‘SadlyItsBradley’, suggest that Valve might finally be gearing up for production on this highly anticipated device.
Even though Deckard remains shrouded in secrecy, the buzz is that it will be a standalone headset with the ability to wirelessly stream PC VR games. This would put it in direct contention with devices like the Meta Quest and the Apple Vision Pro.
Lynch, who has a history of revealing XR industry secrets, recently shared some interesting insights. It seems Valve is importing equipment to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces within the United States. According to Lynch’s post on X, the equipment is from Teleray Group, the same company that supplied gaskets for the Valve Index and the HP G2 Omnicept.
With the Valve Index approaching its sixth anniversary, it seems improbable that Valve would be developing new facial interfaces for it. This development points strongly toward Deckard being their next big play in the XR space.
There’s also speculation about why Valve might be choosing to manufacture key components in the US. One theory is that this move could be a strategic response to the tariffs on China imposed by former President Donald Trump.
Lynch also mentions the facility Valve is using was once dedicated to producing Lighthouse 2.0 base stations. However, since Valve halted those operations about two years ago, it’s possible they’re repurposing the space for new projects, perhaps to avoid tariff issues or to experiment with new headset designs. Although Lynch doubts the latter, given Valve’s long history with R&D in this area.
After almost four years of speculation and leaks about Deckard, the recent reports of Valve ramping up production provide hope that the device’s launch might not be far off.
Further fueling excitement, in November 2024, hidden 3D models teased in a SteamVR update showcased a fresh VR motion controller. This controller, dubbed ‘Roy’, breaks away from typical VR designs, favoring a more traditional gamepad-style button configuration. If Valve sticks with this innovation, it might enable Deckard to offer seamless input compatibility with the Steam Deck.
In February, the reputable leaker ‘Gabe Follower’ suggested Deckard could hit the market by the end of 2025, with a potential price tag of $1,200. This insider speculated that Valve might sell Deckard at a loss, envisioning it to operate on SteamOS, much like the Steam Deck but tailored for VR experiences.
