The buzz surrounding Valve’s much-anticipated standalone XR headset, known by its codename ‘Deckard’, has been steadily building since whispers of its existence emerged in 2021. Now, insights from tech analyst and virtual reality expert Brad Lynch, also known as ‘SadlyItsBradley’, suggest that Valve is ramping up production for this eagerly awaited device.
Details about Deckard are still largely under wraps, but rumors suggest that this latest headset from Valve will be standalone, with the ability to wirelessly stream PC VR games. This feature would position Deckard as a strong competitor against big players like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
Lynch, who frequently shares inside information from the XR industry, claims that Valve has started bringing in “equipment to manufacture VR headset facial interfaces in the USA.” This is according to a post he made on social media platform X. The equipment supplier, Teleray Group, also created components for the Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept, which adds credibility to the notion that Valve is setting the stage for its next XR release.
Considering the Valve Index is approaching six years in age, it’s unlikely that Valve is developing new components for this aging model. This points to the possibility of Deckard being their next big venture in XR technology.
The decision to manufacture these key components in the United States could potentially be influenced by a desire to avoid the heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, imposed recently by US President Donald Trump. Lynch notes that Valve is utilizing the same American facility that was previously used for the Lighthouse 2.0 base stations until it was cleared out nearly two years ago.
Lynch speculates, “Maybe Valve wants to use this facility to sidestep tariff challenges while producing components during Deckard’s market run. Perhaps they are also prototyping new HMD designs right at home, although they probably have had small R&D operations in place for some time.”
With Deckard being a hot topic over the past four years, different leaks and reports have kept enthusiasts keenly interested. Recently, more tangible evidence of production suggests that the device’s official reveal might not be far off.
In November 2024, SteamVR updates revealed leaked 3D models showcasing a new VR motion controller, codenamed ‘Roy’. Unlike the traditional VR layouts, ‘Roy’ features a more gamepad-like button setup, hinting at a potential integration similar to Steam Deck’s design, all while maintaining 1:1 input capabilities.
Adding fuel to the speculation, a report by known leaker ‘Gabe Follower’ in February suggested that Valve is likely to launch Deckard by the end of 2025, with an expected price tag of $1,200. Gabe Follower speculates that despite the price, Deckard might be sold at a loss, and it will reportedly run on an adapted version of SteamOS—the same system that powers Steam Deck but tweaked for VR experiences.
