Five years after the revolutionary release of Half-Life: Alyx, Valve continues to play a quiet yet significant role in the world of VR gaming. This milestone begs the question: is Valve committed to pushing the boundaries of virtual reality, or is it gradually stepping back from the realm it once boldly helped define? As the anniversary of Alyx’s debut rolls around, let’s delve into what Valve is up to and where it might be heading.
Time has flown by, and before we knew it, Half-Life: Alyx turned five. It’s hard to believe, considering it feels like just a couple of years back—and in some ways, that might be attributed to the global pandemic that almost threw a wrench into its release. In March 2020, as lockdowns began sweeping across the U.S. to curb COVID-19, Valve had to grapple with the threat of delays. The launch could have been disrupted had the lockdown come just weeks earlier. In fact, the company had to call off its press preview event for Alyx, yet managed to release the game as planned on March 23rd.
Half-Life: Alyx isn’t just regarded as the best VR or even the best Half-Life game; it’s often touted as one of the greatest games ever. Even after all this time, it proudly holds the 24th spot on Steam250’s list of top-rated games on the platform. Valve’s impact on VR doesn’t stop there. Their Index VR headset was once the gold standard for PC VR aficionados, and Steams’ extensive VR support has been a crucial pillar for the PC VR sector over these past five years.
Despite wielding such influence over the VR landscape, Valve has been surprisingly tight-lipped about its future plans for the medium. Official announcements have been scarce, with hardly a peep about developments like new games or the much-rumored hardware additions.
So, what’s Valve’s next move in the realm of VR? While the company maintains its reticence, there are a few things we’ve gleaned from their activities. SteamVR remains a cornerstone of PC VR, benefiting from regular updates. A significant breakthrough came at the close of 2023 when Valve launched the Steam Link app for Quest headsets, allowing users to wirelessly stream SteamVR games directly from their PCs. This initiative hints that Valve isn’t planning to put wireless PC VR support on the back burner. Speculative whispers and datamining bits have unearthed potential developments like a “SteamVR Link Dongle,” a device thought to facilitate a direct wireless connection between PCs and headsets, possibly using Wi-Fi 6E. This gadget could smooth out wireless gameplay, minimizing common issues like stuttering by bypassing the need for a router.
As for whether this dongle could be versatile enough to work with headsets beyond Valve’s own, such as the Oculus Quest, remains a question. It might also be part of the anticipation surrounding the so-called ‘Deckard’ headset—a device tenaciously rumored ever since 2020 patent filings hinted at Valve’s continued ventures into standalone VR headsets.
Hints of a new VR headset from Valve have been piecemeal but persistent. Key clues came from datamines revealing new VR controllers in SteamVR files, believed to be designed for the Deckard. Early prototypes show a controller layout that suggests Valve may target both VR and traditional flatscreen gaming with their next headset iteration.
There have been whispers, too, about a potential $1,200 price tag and a launch in 2025 for Valve’s next headset, attributed to those familiar with the company’s plans. While these murmurs remain unverified, the existence of an “EV2” headset within SteamVR’s code suggests they aren’t unfounded. This designation indicates the hardware could be edging closer to readiness, though further prototype stages would be expected, similar to prior Valve hardware developments.
Valve’s gaming endeavors mirror its hardware secrecy. Even with Half-Life: Alyx’s acclaim, whether the company feels the adventure justified its development costs is unclear. Persistent rumors, however, suggest the development of new VR experiences, possibly set in the same expansive universe. Hypothetical designs for future games paint a picture of a cooperative experience, blending flat and VR spaces, featuring intertwined stories of iconic characters Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance.
The company remains mum, neither confirming nor denying speculations regarding its future in VR. Yet subtle updates and community encouragement around the Half-Life: Alyx Workshop reflect the underlying interest.
Valve is indeed a uniquely structured entity, operating under a flat management system unlike its corporately hierarchical peers. This allows employees to pivot toward projects they are genuinely passionate about, spurred by personal conviction as much as by company goals. This has enabled Valve to punch above its weight, turning out products that resonate well beyond its size.
While Valve isn’t churning out new VR games or hardware annually, the consistent evolution of SteamVR and hints at undisclosed projects in progress suggest that the company hasn’t turned its back on VR. For those within Valve who believe in VR’s potential, the journey seems far from over.
