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Valve Will Launch Own VR Device, To Be Shown At GDC

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Valve aren't stopping at gamepads and console-like boxes, as they have announced a VR device they will demo at GDC.

Official announcement:
QuoteSteam is bringing the best games and user-generated content to exciting new destinations. At GDC 2015, we’ll be giving demos of the refined Steam Controller, new living room devices, and a previously-unannounced SteamVR hardware system.

With the introduction of SteamVR hardware, Valve is actively seeking VR content creators. Are you a developer or publisher interested in experiencing the new SteamVR hardware? We’ll be giving scheduled VR demos during the week of GDC, March 4th-6th, 2015, at Moscone Center in San Francisco.


I always thought VR was some sort of fad, and my thoughts haven't changed yet, but with Valve entering the VR market I might just have to pick one up! I am open to a change of heart on VR.

How do you feel about this folks? Will you pick one up? I imagine there are some people who steered away for Oculus with the Facebook takeover, so maybe this will win some more customers.

Safe to say GDC will be very exciting, and not just for Linux. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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21 comments
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miro Feb 24, 2015
i wantz steambox + HL3
pb Feb 24, 2015
I wouldn't mind some VR stuff, but let's start with a successful Steam Machine + some new AAA releases.
ky0 Feb 24, 2015
I want the steam controller :) I hope it they will announce when we can buy the gamepads
Beamboom Feb 24, 2015
Oh hell yeah - you're totally right about Oculus losing their appeal when Facebook took over.

Valve VR set plus controller?! And we just KNOW it will run on Linux... Teh win. TEH win.
Cybolic Feb 24, 2015
I would probably pick one up. I've been itching to buy an Oculus, but stayed away due to the beta state and the poor Linux support from content providers and I'm restraining myself from getting the Samsung GearVR due to the "enthusiast edition" label, but a proper product from the likes of Valve would very likely get my money.
lucifertdark Feb 24, 2015
Facebook be damned! The Oculus is an amazing bit of kit, I had the chance at Christmas to play with one for a few hours, playing Half-Life 2 through it is an experience & a half. ;)
godlike Feb 24, 2015
Valve has some very interesting things to show. Just to mention that they will present GL-next with some other high profile developers.
N30N Feb 24, 2015
I imagine there are some people who steered away for Oculus with the Facebook takeover
While I know this is true, I don't understand why? I don't use the Facebook the website (for obvious reasons) but I have not problem with the company. They've relased and contribute to a number of open source projects.

a similar article over at AnandTech pointed out that it doesn't state that any VR demo is open to the public. It may well be only open to publishers and developers.
They've already shown off their tech to developers at the last Steam Dev Days. But yes the announcement says the scheduled VR demos are for developer or publisher.
pd12 Feb 24, 2015
makes sense seeing as the amount of resources they invested into VR already ...
mao_dze_dun Feb 24, 2015
Need... controller... can't wait... any longer...
autonomouse Feb 24, 2015
The pieces are all starting to fit together now.

Not much point of a touchscreen on a controller if you can't see it
PublicNuisance Feb 24, 2015
I will be picking up an Oculus Rift when it comes out if it's $300 and will do 1080P per eye and at least 60 Hz. I'd be open to Valve's VR item but either way I really hope they do VR right because it can be a huge game changer if done right. I am not a fan of the Facebook deal but I do have faith in John Carmack who has stayed onboard with the team.
Segata Sanshiro Feb 24, 2015
always thought VR was some sort of fad

That's what I thought about tablets.... Then they took over the world. (They're still pretty pointless as devices though.)

I'm willing to try VR out, for all I know it might be good for certain types of games. My worry is that it just leads to a lot of games being really gimmicky like motion controls did.
aL Feb 24, 2015
Im pretty confident saying that those of you who think VR is a fad have not try one yourself. Am I wrong? :)

VR is not a fad... they are a game changing technology. After putting them on, it took me 2 seconds to forget where I was and to be completely immersed on the world I was presented with. And im talking about a low resolution pixelated world (it was the first occulus that came out)

I ordered the second one but canceled out after facebook bought them becase I dont want to give fb any money that can be used to do more shady things

Thankfully valve did the sane thing and took the matter on their hands... because last year they said that werent going to get involved in selling this kind of hardware... and that made me really sad.

Please valve, put all this hardware to sale already, I cant wait any longer... I would throw them my bra and my panties if I were wearing any
WorMzy Feb 24, 2015
It'll be interesting to see how well this does... When it finally releases in 2024. :P

I have tried out an occulus, and it was an interesting experience. It didn't sell the 'VR is the future' theory to me though. I can't see it taking off unless the technology becomes very affordable.
tony1ab Feb 24, 2015
Last time I read an interview from a developer who saw about a year ago valve's vr prototype at their offices, he was saying that it was very expensive and also ver advanced. He said that achieved to fake the brain, cos have 0 latency and a lot of resolution and fps (if I find the interview I will post link). So here's my thouhgs.

Scenario 1: They keep his prototype just for developers, so they are attracted to develop for VR (the original plan)

Scenario 2: They pretend to sell a prototype for the market, so they have made a cheaper version of his device (who knows, technollogy gets cheaper over time, and maybe they found ways to make a cheaper version.

Scenario 3: They pretend to sell his current high cost device for the market, because they have realized that if people buys Nvidia titan z cards for 3,000$, maybe they can sell this for some gamers...then they can cheapen the thing later. <- I would like this one. I dont want another occulus rift. If they are going to go, use all the horsepower!!!!


Link to an interview:
I have not found exactly the one who I wanted, but it was mostly like this one.

http://www.incgamers.com/2014/01/tripwires-david-hensley-says-valves-vr-felt-like-holo-deck
flesk Feb 24, 2015
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I've tried both the DK1 and DK2 since a former colleague of mine is absolutely obsessed with VR. While I thought the experience was pretty neat, I don't see myself getting into VR for gaming anytime soon, and I personally don't see it as a revolution in gaming any more than gesture or voice recognition was. I'm perfectly happy to keep playing my platformers and puzzle games on a 2D display.
tony1ab Feb 24, 2015
I've tried both the DK1 and DK2 since a former colleague of mine is absolutely obsessed with VR. While I thought the experience was pretty neat, I don't see myself getting into VR for gaming anytime soon, and I personally don't see it as a revolution in gaming any more than gesture or voice recognition was. I'm perfectly happy to keep playing my platformers and puzzle games on a 2D display.

You tried the Occulus DK1 and 2... or the valve prototype DK 1 and 2??!?!?
Speedster Feb 25, 2015
I wonder if this is what is delaying SteamBox release -- could Valve have decided this is the hook to make a big splash with their console right from the start, having the best VR with some amazing game to show it off?
flesk Feb 25, 2015
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You tried the Occulus DK1 and 2... or the valve prototype DK 1 and 2??!?!?

The Oculus DK1 and 2. Sorry for the confusion.
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