Update May 1st: Pre-orders are now up.
Valve have pushed out the details of their new in-house VR kit, the Valve Index along with the Controllers and 2.0 Base Stations.
The actual Headset has dual 1440x1600 RGB LCDs and it runs at 120Hz with "full back-compatibility to 90Hz". Additionally, there's an experimental 144Hz mode as well. The displays have a "reduced illumination period of 0.330ms to 0.530ms (framerate dependent)" which Valve claim is a "5x improvement" over first-gen PC VR HMDs which all sounds mighty impressive to me.
The 2.0 Base Station sounds equally as impressive, with you able to have four of them all connected up to create a 10m x 10m play-area. Their Base Stations are compatible with both the Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro. Linking into that, the Valve Index is also compatible with the HTC Vive Controllers, HTC Vive Pro Controllers and the HTC Vive Base Stations, or HTC Vive Pro Base Stations so you don't need to buy every part of Valve kit.
We already knew that the Valve Index would have full Linux support, as Valve previously confirmed this to us directly and with the pages up it's clear this still holds true. Although, their VR-test application is Windows-only. The Pre-orders will start tomorrow, available in a "limited-quantity launch" for the USA and the EA with shipping targetting by July 1st.
No games were announce by Valve at this point, however they are teasing a "flagship" VR game later this year that will be playable on "any SteamVR compatible system". Perhaps they're waiting to properly announce it when shipping begins? Who knows but I will let you know when I know. I would absolutely love to see what Valve could do with it with their own games.
For those really interested in early details, Tom’s Hardware did get to test it and they have some bits up on it. While I wasn't able to get any kind of hands-on yet, I am hoping to see a review unit this time (unlike with the HTC Vive) so we can see how it does on Linux, a quick chat with Valve earlier sounded positive on that front.
They also have a store page up now on Steam and it's time to keep those expectations in check. Brace yourself for the price, as it for me shows the entire kit will go for £919 which is an absolutely eye-watering sum. You can pay less if you already have other kit like the Vive or Vive Pro but it's still pretty expensive. Here's a breakdown of pricing for you across the various combinations possible:
- Full Kit: £919/$999/€1079
- Headset + Controllers: £689/$749/€799
- Headset: £459/$499/€539
- Controllers: £259/$279/€299
- Base Station (one): £139/$149/€159
- Face Gasket (2-pack): £36.99/$39.99
- VirtualLink USB-C Adapter: £36.99/$39.99
Going by the specifications though, this really is top-end stuff we're looking at so the price isn't exactly surprising but it will still likely limit the audience. For Linux gamers, the lack of VR content could be the real barrier although this is likely another reason why Steam Play exists.
There's tons of details to go over, so do check out all the info here.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Hey Liam, why no € prices in the article?Since Steam only allows me to view prices in my local currency, I rely on others giving me the other prices. I usually use SteamDB to find them but I couldn't find the items listed there yet.
Complete package: 1079,--€
HMD + Controller: 799,--€
HMD: 539,--€
Controller: 299,--€
Lighthouse: 159,--€
Much appreciated, added it in.Hey Liam, why no € prices in the article?Since Steam only allows me to view prices in my local currency, I rely on others giving me the other prices. I usually use SteamDB to find them but I couldn't find the items listed there yet.
Complete package: 1079,--€
HMD + Controller: 799,--€
HMD: 539,--€
Controller: 299,--€
Lighthouse: 159,--€
So, when I looks back to history of Steam controller's price which sold by 3rd party dealers in Malaysia, Index headset price probably will slightly cheaper, like 5-10% cheaper than "western" market. Again if we look back Steam controller's price
Main problem is PSVR + PS camera 's price is RM1379 (~ USD333) from official Sony Malaysia. So, RM 2k++ for base headset is not worth it and very risky. Especially hardware customer supports for 3rd party dealers here is kinda hit or miss.
Sony Malaysia link
EDIT: Fix/Clarifying my opinion using better words.
Last edited by tonR on 1 May 2019 at 12:15 pm UTC
Not using VR, can I ask a stupid question? Will this system allow you to use VR for existing titles out there (including Proton?), or only for games written specifically for this system?
Fully compatible with older VR games.
Last edited by kuhpunkt on 1 May 2019 at 3:55 pm UTC
A high end mobile phone can alone cost this. This has base stations, very advanced controllers and a HMD that incorporates all kinds of technologies. It's custom hardware with a limited market so it's surprising that it isn't more expensive. And I don't expect them to making mad bank with this.
Exactly.
It's in everyone's own right to decide if they want to spend on a set. There are also those who don't want to buy a regular pc either, and buy a console instead. All good.
But hardware costs. And quite frankly, for pc gamers it's not really that unheard of with these price tags on bleeding edge hardware. Just look at the price of the latest high end Gforce card.
slaapliedje May 1, 2019
slaapliedje May 2, 2019
Might as well just buy the Sony PS4 VR, and play with that on linux.Ha, I have one of those (because it's more straight forward to watch 3d Blurays on it) but how do you use it in Linux?
Ok, so that's interesting, and makes this worth thinking about...Not using VR, can I ask a stupid question? Will this system allow you to use VR for existing titles out there (including Proton?), or only for games written specifically for this system?
Fully compatible with older VR games.
For Linux gamers, the lack of VR content could be the real barrier
Well, Beat Saber supposedly work well on Linux with Steam Play, so there you go, problem solved.
Last edited by sarmad on 2 May 2019 at 5:35 am UTC
I have the Samsung Odyssey. Could I use those Controllers? Setting up the Index controllers and Price seems not attractive to me. Thanks
You would need the base stations for that and you would have to calibrate it a lot.
Not available in my country (Norway). And judging by the Steam controller availability (still isn't) this solution simply will never come to us. What's up with that?! We're not located in the third world, why can't get get a Scandinavian distributor?!I am located in the third world and when I need something like that I just order internationally. I pay taxes for the import but even then, in the end it gets cheaper than if we had an authorized reseller. Can't you order internationally from Norway?
True, I can, but the import tolls and taxes are really quite steep, so it adds to the price by many, many percents.
Add to that the fact that computer equipment is relatively cheap her in Norway, so usually the retail prices for high end equipment abroad are higher than our local prices.
It just feels so unreal that there are computer equipment not available in our country. But I guess I should be happy that it's a rare thing. :)
Sil_el_mot May 2, 2019
Base stations? Samsung doesn't Need such.
Yeah, but the Index-Controllers need them.
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