Valve Expected to Unveil new VR Headset, ‘Steam Frame,’ as Early as Tomorrow
REDMOND, WA – November 11, 2023 – Valve is anticipated to announce a new virtual reality headset, currently codenamed “Steam Frame” (working name Deckardr), perhaps as soon as tomorrow, November 12, according to reports from industry leaker SadlyItsBradley. The announcement, expected this Wednesday, would mark Valve’s latest foray into the VR market following the successful launch of the Steam Deck handheld gaming console.
While Valve has not officially confirmed the news, Bradley shared on Discord that “some sources” indicate an announcement this week. The potential launch builds on a pattern of late-year hardware releases for Valve; last year, the company unveiled the Steam Deck OLED model on November 16. The VR market has seen limited innovation recently, and a new offering from Valve could significantly impact the landscape.
The “Steam frame” is rumored to be a standalone VR headset, similar to the Meta Quest 3, but also capable of running PC VR games. Reports suggest the device will leverage technology from the Steam Deck, potentially allowing users to play certain games directly on the headset as if it were a portable console.
Leaks point to the possibility of two models with varying specifications and price points. A starting price around $1,200 (roughly 430-450 thousand Hungarian Forint) has been widely circulated, positioning the headset between the Meta Quest 3 and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy XR in terms of cost.
Bradley also indicated that Valve “will need a week or two to present the device in detail,” suggesting the “Steam Frame” may be more than a conventional VR headset and could represent a more complex, PC-oriented platform for gamers.