Valve Reportedly Working On Independent VR Headset Similar To Oculus Quest, Leak Says

Valve is reportedly working on an independent headset that is similar to the Facebook Oculus Quest platform, according to leaks.

Reports claim that the successor of the Valve Index could be on its way with the capability to work independently without the need to connect to a PC cable or to be tethered. The new device might also ditch the inside-out tracking or the external base station.

A video uploaded by Brad Lynch, a YouTuber, hinted at several shreds of evidence to the upcoming Valve project. In his video that ran for more than 15 minutes, Lynch claims he found references to a device codenamed “Deckard” in SteamVR's code.

He then linked these references to the patent application Valve recently filled. In his video, he expressed enthusiasm on the amount of information that he and his friend gathered about the rumored Valve next VR headset, The Verge reported.

According to Lynch, the device codenamed “Deckard” is not something new. Valve has mentioned the project since January on the publicly available branches of the SteamVR.

The video mentioned several specific iterations referenced in June on the alleged Valve second-generation SteamVR. Among them are the two new SteamVR menu options as a result of its ability to activate a “Valve internal menu,” ARS Technica reported.

The two options are called the prism and the standalone system layer. Reports suggest that the term standalone could mean that the second generation Valve SteamVR will have the capability to work independently.

Similar to Facebook’s Oculus Quest, the device allegedly in the works could ditch the external base station. It could also eliminate the need to use a cable or to be tethered to a computer.

Back in 2019, Valve released the Valve Index, its first high-end VR headset. Although it offered solid visuals and thoughtful designs, it lacked convenience and portability as it needed to be tethered to a gaming PC in order to work.

A confirmation of the YouTuber’s leaked information surfaced on Wednesday. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Valve is indeed working on a VR Headset. The sources however failed to gather information about when the products will be out for retail launch.