The Valve Index 2 might basically act as a VR Steam Deck, in accordance with new information mining analyzing steamOS and SteamVR updates. If true, this revelation might sign a paradigm shift of VR tech in direction of mainstream adoption. The Valve Index successor, usually referred to by its codename, Deckard, is purported to launch subsequent 12 months, however might arrive as late as 2025.
This new data, shared by YouTuber Brad Lynch, is underpinned by information mined from updates on Valve’s platforms. Builders have been allegedly including a collection of VR-related updates to the Gamescope compositor utilized by the Steam Deck working system. Because it’s unlikely the Steam Deck itself might be concerned with any VR shenanigans, this led Lynch to state that “Valve goes to launch a headset working an x86 APU inside for a full standalone expertise”. Contemplating the Index required a wired connection to a PC to work, a standalone VR headset can be an enormous improve for Valve.
However essentially the most astonishing supposed discovering is the addition of strings in Github which look for use for adapting video games to VR, permitting the in-game belongings to offer off reflections and incorporate dynamic lighting in a VR setting. It looks as if Valve is working laborious on making extra video games VR-compatible. It’s not simply that, although, as Lynch claims that “Valve goes to place their subsequent headset as not solely a VR machine, however as a high-end Steam Deck machine that may play your entire video games.” Big.
This growth would possible make the Valve Deckard, or Index 2, no matter you need to name it, an absolute must-have headset. One of many fundamental limitations of VR, other than its value, is the dearth of video games you’ll be able to play on present gadgets. If Valve solves that downside, it’s received a very good likelihood of pushing its subsequent VR product into the mainstream.
It’d additionally make the Index 2 an enormous enchancment on its predecessor, which wasn’t precisely a nasty little bit of package again within the day. Our Valve Index overview gave the 4-year-old headset a 9/10, calling it the “greatest shopper VR package obtainable” on the time. However it’s not simply Valve within the VR house, in fact. The Meta Quest 3 launch date is arriving Fall 2023, and we count on it to be an enormous leap ahead for VR tech.
