Five Years of ‘Alyx’: What’s Next for Valve in VR?

Five years after Half-Life: Alyx redefined VR gaming, Valve remains a pivotal, if understated, player in the field. It’s like they’re orchestrating a silent symphony, quietly updating SteamVR, seamlessly integrating with standalone headsets like Quest, and hinting at new hardware and games. With the fifth anniversary of Alyx now behind us, it begs the question: Is Valve still committed to VR, or are they stepping back from the cutting edge they helped create? Here’s the latest scoop.

Remember how fast time flies? It seems like just yesterday when Half-Life: Alyx was launched, yet here we are five years later. The game hit the market in March 2020, coinciding with the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns across the US, which nearly delayed its launch. Valve might have had to hit the brakes if the lockdowns had started a bit earlier, they confessed. In the chaos of that period, they even had to cancel what would have been the only press preview for Alyx. Thankfully, despite those hurdles, they managed to release the game as planned on March 23rd.

The acclaim for Half-Life: Alyx has been overwhelming; it’s not only considered the best VR game but also one of the best games ever. Even now, it holds an impressive spot on Steam250’s top games list. But Valve has done more than just release a blockbuster VR title. Their Index VR headset set the standard for PC VR, while Steam’s robust VR support has been crucial for the industry’s survival over these past five years.

However, Valve has been quite reserved about its future in VR lately. There have been no major announcements for new games or headsets, which leaves us wondering: what’s next for Valve in VR?

Let’s not overlook the fact that SteamVR remains the primary platform for PC VR. Valve has consistently enhanced SteamVR, with the most notable addition at the end of 2023 being the unexpected launch of the Steam Link app for Quest headsets. This app allows Quest users to play SteamVR games from their PC wirelessly, making VR gaming more accessible.

Valve seems to have more plans for the Steam Link. Rumors from credible sources suggest Valve’s working on extending Steam Link to new headsets like HTC’s Vive Focus and Pico headsets by Bytedance. Also, there’s chatter about a new feature aimed at enhancing wireless PC VR for standalone headsets—a “SteamVR Link Dongle,” a device expected to create a direct wireless link between your PC and headset.

Currently, using a Steam Link involves connecting your headset to your router, which then connects to your PC. This setup works fine if you’re near the router, but connection issues can arise with weaker setups or when striving for optimal quality. A SteamVR Link Dongle would potentially eliminate these issues by connecting the headset directly to the PC, bypassing the router, and is anticipated to use Wi-Fi 6E for seamless performance.

Yet, the question remains whether this dongle will support third-party headsets like the Quest or if it’s intended for Valve’s rumored ‘Deckard’ headset.

Speaking of headsets, let’s talk about Valve’s next potential release. After the Index hit the scene in 2019, whispers about a new VR headset began to surface, notably from patent filings in 2020. Although it’s been five years without an official announcement, there’s been a steady stream of hints suggesting something is brewing—a continuation of what fans jokingly call Valve Time™.

Not too long ago, a 3D model of new VR controllers, potentially for Valve’s next headset, was found in SteamVR’s updated files. This discovery suggests Valve is still actively working on a new VR headset. The so-called ‘Deckard’ headset might follow a standalone model that streams content from a host PC, similar to what Quest users experience with Steam Link.

The leaked Deckard controllers appear to have a traditional design, featuring a D-pad and face buttons, indicating that Valve might be positioning the headset for both VR and virtual flatscreen gaming. This design would facilitate a smoother transition between these formats for gamers.

Recently, a known leaker claimed Valve’s upcoming headset might hit the market in 2025 with a $1,200 price tag. Although it’s still speculation, this aligns with some datamined references to “Deckard EV2,” suggesting the headset is moving closer to production stages, similar to Valve’s Steam Deck OLED.

What about games, you ask? Half-Life: Alyx remains a shining example of VR gaming excellence, but there’s still uncertainty about whether Valve will take on another project of a similar scale. Yet, reports from reliable sources suggest new games or demos might be on the horizon, specifically designed for the Deckard headset.

Long-time dataminer Tyler McVicker has suggested that Valve could be working on another VR game within the Half-Life universe. This game may offer a unique experience by integrating co-op gameplay with one player on a PC and the other using a VR headset. Rumor has it, one player becomes Gordon Freeman while the other steps into Alyx Vance’s shoes, paving the way for some intriguing cooperative gameplay.

Could this potential game serve as a bridge between Valve’s Steam Deck and the Deckard headset? It seems plausible, though Valve isn’t confirming anything just yet. When asked about upcoming projects, Valve remained tight-lipped, simply expressing their appreciation for user-generated content in the Half-Life: Alyx Workshop.

Valve’s unique position in the industry is partly explained by its unconventional management structure. Employees have considerable freedom in choosing which projects to undertake, working only on things they’re passionate about. This independence has allowed Valve to consistently deliver high-quality products, punching well above its weight class for a company of its size.

While Valve may not roll out new headsets or games at a rapid pace, their ongoing enhancements to SteamVR and subtle hints of future surprises suggest there’s a dedicated team at Valve that sees VR as an exciting frontier worth exploring.