Alyx Turns Five: What’s Next for Valve in VR?

Half-Life: Alyx, in its fifth year of existence, has transformed how we experience VR gaming, thanks to Valve’s innovative approach. Even though Valve plays its cards close to its chest, the company remains an influential player in the VR scene. From subtle updates to SteamVR to making strides with standalone headsets like Quest, Valve continues to quietly innovate. As we reflect on the anniversary of Alyx, we wonder if Valve is holding the VR torch strong or slowly stepping back from its groundbreaking role. Here’s the lowdown.

Time flies when you’re in the throes of a global pandemic, and suddenly, we’re five years down the road with Half-Life: Alyx. For many of us, it feels like just a couple of years have passed. Alyx almost didn’t see the light of day in March 2020, as pandemic-induced lockdowns swept across the U.S. Imagine the chaos as businesses scrambled to adapt to a new, remote work model—Valve Software included. Had the lockdowns hit sooner, we might have missed that scheduled March 23rd release. The pandemic even caused Valve to call off Alyx’s sole press preview event, yet the game thankfully launched on time.

This game has drawn widespread praise, not just as a leading VR or Half-Life experience, but as one of the ultimate gaming feats. Alyx sits proudly as number 24 on Steam250’s list of top-rated games. However, Valve’s achievements extend beyond a single masterpiece. The Valve Index VR headset has been the go-to for PC VR enthusiasts, while Steam’s robust VR ecosystem has been essential in keeping PC VR alive over the past five years.

Despite these successes, Valve has maintained a notable silence regarding future VR pursuits. No new headsets or games have been formally unveiled recently. So, what are they brewing in the realm of VR, if anything at all? Let’s dive into what we’ve gathered.

### Valve’s Next Move in VR

First, let’s not overlook that SteamVR is still the cornerstone of PC VR platforms. Valve has delivered consistent, incremental updates, with a major addition arriving in late 2023: the surprise release of Steam Link for Quest headsets. This made it easier for Quest users to enjoy SteamVR games wirelessly.

And Valve isn’t stopping there. Dataminers suggest that Steam Link could expand to other headsets such as HTC’s Vive Focus and Bytedance’s Pico devices. There’s also chatter about a “SteamVR Link Dongle,” expected to establish a direct wireless connection between PCs and headsets, bypassing routers—a game-changer for VR setups struggling with connectivity issues. This dongle, presumably leveraging Wi-Fi 6E, could elevate the SteamVR experience by minimizing latency and maximizing quality.

The specifics on whether this dongle will support third-party headsets like the Quest, or if it’s tailored for Valve’s rumored “Deckard” headset, remain unclear.

### The Future of Valve’s VR Headsets

After the Index’s debut in 2019, whispers about Valve’s next VR headset started, highlighted by patents in 2020, proposing standalone designs and new ergonomics. Fast forward five years—though no formal announcement has emerged, steady leaks and datamining efforts suggest Valve is crafting a new headset, albeit at Valve Time™, an endearingly unpredictable pace.

Recent finds from SteamVR files revealed 3D models of fresh VR controllers, presumed to be part of Valve’s new headset. This awakened hope among fans, hinting at a dual playstyle—VR and flatscreen on a virtual screen. The leaked controllers, with familiar layouts featuring a D-pad and buttons, suggest seamless transitions between VR and flatscreen gaming without swapping controllers—a nod to gaming simplicity and fluidity.

There’s even a claim from a known leaker that Valve’s new headset, possibly hitting shelves in 2025, could cost around $1,200. While we can’t fully verify this, indicators, like dataminer Brad Lynch’s recent find of “Deckard EV2” in SteamVR updates, suggest the headset is inching closer to launch.

### What About a New VR Game?

Half-Life: Alyx set a high bar with its rave reviews and enduring popularity. But did its success translate to the revenue Valve anticipated? The jury’s still out on whether Valve will invest heavily in a VR game of similar scope. However, whispers of new titles, meant for Deckard, are stirring.

A trusted leaker and longtime Valve dataminer, Tyler McVicker, hinted at another possible Half-Life installment, potentially an asymmetric co-op involving both VR and flatscreen players—one as Gordon Freeman, the other as Alyx Vance. This offers a tantalizing glimpse at a game blending VR and PC experiences smoothly.

Yet, Valve remains tight-lipped about any upcoming headset or game. When queried at Alyx’s five-year mark, the firm expressed pride in the user-generated content within Half-Life: Alyx’s workshop, but stayed mum on future VR endeavors.

### Valve’s Unique Approach

Valve marches to its unique drumbeat—a company where a ‘flat’ management model lets employees chase passions and coax colleagues into collaborative projects. This empowerment means Valve’s projects emerge from genuine enthusiasm rather than top-down directives. It’s why, despite a leaner staff compared to industry giants, Valve’s innovations consistently hit high marks.

While they might not churn out VR tech annually, Valve’s ongoing tweaks to SteamVR and behind-the-scenes buzz signal a belief in VR’s potential. The dedicated team at Valve, committed to exploring this immersive frontier, keeps the VR flame alive.