Valve’s long-rumored standalone XR headset, known internally as ‘Deckard’, has been a buzzworthy topic ever since it was first hinted at back in 2021. Now, tech analyst and VR insider Brad Lynch, who goes by the moniker ‘SadlyItsBradley’, has shared new insights suggesting that Valve is ramping up production for this eagerly anticipated device.
Although details about Deckard remain somewhat scarce, whispers in the industry suggest that Valve’s upcoming headset will be a standalone unit capable of wirelessly streaming PC VR games. If these rumors hold true, Deckard could position itself as a strong contender against the likes of Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
Lynch, who frequently leaks information within the XR sector, recently noted that Valve has been importing gear to produce VR headset facial interfaces in the United States. “The equipment is sourced from Teleray Group, the same team that crafted the gaskets for the Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept,” Lynch mentions in a social media update.
With the Valve Index now approaching six years on the market, it’s likely Valve isn’t designing facial interfaces for their older model. This move seems to point directly toward their forthcoming entry in the expanded reality arena.
Valve’s decision to manufacture key components stateside could be an attempt to navigate around the increased tariffs on Chinese goods imposed recently during Donald Trump’s presidency. Lynch reports Valve is utilizing the same U.S.-based facility that previously handled production of the company’s Lighthouse 2.0 base stations, which had been decommissioned nearly two years ago.
“Perhaps Valve wanted to leverage that facility for creating new components during Deckard’s market run, avoiding some tariff issues,” speculates Lynch. However, he expresses some skepticism about this being for prototype work, citing Valve’s likely possession of small-scale R&D equipment for years.
After nearly four years of speculation, the heap of leaks and reports surrounding Deckard continues to grow. The latest information points to Valve actively moving into production mode, which could mean we’re edging closer to an official reveal.
In November 2024, sneaky 3D models tucked away in a SteamVR update unveiled what appears to be a new VR motion controller, dubbed ‘Roy’. This controller diverges from the customary VR design, favoring a classic gamepad layout over the widely popular Touch configuration. If Valve pursues this design, Deckard might just offer gamers a 1:1 input symmetry with the Steam Deck.
Further fueling curiosity, in February, known leaker ‘Gabe Follower’ suggested that Deckard could hit shelves by the end of 2025 with a price tag of $1,200. The leaker believes this price would be an initial loss for Valve, hinting that Deckard will incorporate the same SteamOS operating system found in Steam Deck, specifically tailored for VR functionality.
