To paraphrase Jeff Grubb, there’s been more smoke lately indicating a console than VR, but “frame” implies glasses implies VR headset. It could go either way or both, where the console and VR are complementary. Or neither! But I think smart money is on Valve announcing new hardware imminently, and personally, I think it’s a console like a Steam Machine but with the library problem now solved.
There were leaked specs for hardware that Valve was testing that could theoretically retail between $500 and $700, but that is analysis and inference only, not an announcement. Separately, there were leaked designs of a new Steam controller that was supposedly on its way to the production line for mass production. Valve also has ties to Keighley and the Game Awards, where Alyx was announced back in 2019 before a March release in 2020, so there could be something like that again. Another reminder that the next Half-Life game is also rumored to be imminent, so it would make sense to pair these things together like Alyx and the Index.
Similar to a deck, the concept of a frame gives the impression of a barebones structure that one can improve or build upon.
A supposed insider on Reddit mentioned that this will be their new hardware ecosystem which will allow combining multiple devices for improved performance. The example they gave was having a desktop, a Steam Deck, and a new Deckard VR headset then using 2 or all 3 of these devices in tandem for better gaming performance.
They also mentioned the new Half-Life game is likely to be announced in the first half of September for release in November, however in could be delayed until next year if they aren’t perfectly happy with the state of the game.
This person said this is all part of the “Steam Next” era which will be introduced to the world with an Orange Box kind of release.
Given the problems SLI and crossfire had with more than one gpu, but in the same system, I doubt even valve would be able to combine different devices in a very meaningful way. The best I can imagine would be a pc rendering a game which is streamed to a steam deck, which in turn throws all its resources on FSR-like upscaling. Or, in case of a VR device that it handles interframe generation and reprojection locally on a stream rendered by a different device.
Of course I would like to be proven wrong.
Perhaps it’s actually an eGPU dock for the Steam deck? Like you can connect you steam deck to it via USB4 and have better graphics performance? And it would cost less than a separate gaming PC.
This sounds like the latency would be insane though.
The best I can imagine would be a pc rendering a game which is streamed to a steam deck
I think you can already do this
A new Orange Box sounds so much less appealing in an era where Valve’s games are mostly live services now.
New Half Life Game
HALF LIFE 3!!! RIGHT AFTER SILKSONG!!!
Can we please stop talking about Hollow Knight? Really tired of it getting shoved in my face
Half Life Alyx: Episode One
:p
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu------------
The idea of a linux box that is VR capable is a strong business proposition. VR on linux is not a thing yet, at least not seamlessly. It would be a major market shift to compete directly with Sony.
VR works just fine on linux. I’ve got the index and run it exclusively on a linux mint machine. It was a little rough around the edges a few years ago but has been running with no issues for the past couple years.
My first thought on hearing frame is server. I’m likely way off the mark (to the point I don’t actually think it’s what they’re doing) but it could be the basis for a cloud gaming setup for steam. Would extend the deck life and allow them to optimise settings for proton locally.
My first thought is a dock of some sort for the Deck
I wouldn’t mind a budget dedicated server of some sort designed to shove in the corner of my room and host game servers on paired with a similar ease of access as SteamOS
I’m hoping for an ARM based standalone Linux VR headset. Both VR and Linux ARM gaming would get a major boost from a major company putting out hardware with software support. A PlayStation sized gaming PC eventually someday too. Just an ARM VR headset is a bigger leap for Linux gaming from where ARM/VR Linux is today than an x86 gaming PC
Index was released in 2019, I think it makes the most sense that this is the next version of their VR hardware…
They’ve been working on VR hardware for a while, but the market has kind of stalled out on what the technology is capable of. They’d have to be pretty confident that they can jumpstart it again with their own games if that’s what it is.
Was hoping for a steam deck as i didn’t get one and it feels off to get one now. But either way I like to see valve actually creating stuff again. :)
It’s still a good time to get a Steam Deck. Most games fit its spec just fine, it’s one of the cheaper handhelds on the market for the power you get out of it, and it has good battery life for that power, too.
And you can get a used LCD for cheap now that it has been out for a while.
And I can tell you that the screen is already more than good enough for me with really good colors.
I figured “frame” refers to glasses, but looks like people are thinking it’s a box of some sort.
Edit: oop I see you already mentioned that in the post body
Interesting theories in this.
My gut was telling me its a frame as in its like steam machine, where its a box, but you can customize the insides etc.
Hope it’s VR personally. The index is great & I’m excited to see what they do with v2.
