Recent updates to SteamVR have unearthed some intriguing surprises—3D models hinting at a new virtual reality motion controller. This development has sparked excitement among gamers, reigniting the buzz around Valve’s rumored standalone VR headset, often referred to as “Deckard.”
Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch, a tech analyst and YouTuber, has shed light on these leaks, revealing two new controllers embedded in the latest SteamVR drivers. One is a motion controller, dubbed ‘Roy,’ while the other is a gamepad, code-named ‘Ibex.’
While most VR motion controllers usually sport a couple of action buttons per controller, the Roy model deviates with a more familiar gamepad-style layout. It features a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, along with start, select, and bumper buttons above each trigger. This setup could simplify compatibility with games designed for traditional gamepads, letting Deckard leverage Steam’s vast library of existing flatscreen games alongside VR titles.
Interestingly, the leaked models could be viewed using the 3D graphics software, Blender, before Valve responded by patching the files out in a quick software update. Lynch noted that these files also mentioned capacitive touch on all Roy’s buttons, which likely assists in hand skeleton creation. He anticipates that Deckard might employ these features with potential eye-tracking technology for enhanced user interface input.
Since the rollout of Meta’s Touch controllers back in 2016 with the original Oculus Rift, several VR headset makers have followed suit with similar designs. However, Valve has a reputation for breaking the mold. The Knuckles controllers from their Valve Index headset enable “hands-off” interactions thanks to an adjustable wrist strap, and they also include touchpads for navigating user interfaces, granting compatibility with games originally made for the HTC Vive wands.
The mystery surrounding Valve Deckard has captured attention ever since a line of code in a January 2021 Steam update first hinted at its existence. It’s rumored to feature advanced capabilities like PC VR wireless streaming, eye-tracking, and even passthrough AR features. If true, it could potentially rival devices like the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro.
In addition to Roy, the leaks also introduced another controller model called Ibex, which seems to follow the control setup of Valve’s Steam Deck handheld with dual touchpads. A glimpse of this can be seen in the thumbnail render leaked within the SteamVR drivers.
Data miners continue to dig for any visuals of Deckard itself, but Valve remains tight-lipped, and there’s been no official disclosure from the company. Given how quickly Valve patched out the leaked models, it seems they’ll be cautious about future leaks.
Whether these leaks were an intentional tease or not remains unclear. Supply chain and software leaks are common—many will remember the Valve Index was unexpectedly revealed six months before its official 2019 launch, showcasing its physical design in detail. As always, we’ll be keeping a close watch on Valve, anticipating any sudden announcements, as unpredictability has become something of a hallmark for the company.
