Valve has launched its much-awaited SteamVR 2.0 replace, following a one-month beta testing interval in September. Whereas it is unclear whether or not the corporate is laying the groundwork for a brand new digital actuality headset, the replace brings a whole overhaul to the consumer interface, in a manner that matches the present Steam Large Image mode. The shop prioritises new and main VR releases on the high, along with making it straightforward to navigate by way of a constant expertise throughout the desktop app, the Steam Deck, and different gadgets. The replace was initially imagined to drop in 2020.
Sustaining the same really feel to the Steam Deck’s interface, all of the notifications, chat messages, and even in-game screenshots at the moment are accessible straight whereas carrying the VR headset. The keyboard has been up to date as properly to permit for typing in new languages and utilizing emojis — the expertise could be additional personalised by way of downloadable themes. Twin-cursor typing ought to permit for fast problem-solving, and the dashboard comes with battery indicators and charging standing for every controller, akin to wi-fi earbuds. “That is our first huge step in a bigger ongoing effort to higher unify the Steam ecosystem for all customers, offering a extra constant expertise throughout gadgets,” the weblog submit reads, indicating that the interface shall be continually up to date and stored bug-free.
SteamVR 2.0’s launch has led to speculations that Valve is planning to launch a brand new VR gadget quickly. Stories from final month recommended that the corporate registered a thriller {hardware} in South Korea — a wi-fi gadget, which is presumably a successor to the wired Valve Index, which was launched in 2019, earlier than Half-Life: Alyx was launched. A de-facto Steam Deck 2 is out of the query, given its designer Lawrence Yang’s claims {that a} new one with a ‘important bump in horsepower’ will not be launched inside the subsequent few years. A standalone VR gadget codenamed ‘Deckard’ can be allegedly within the works, which is poised to be a competitor to the upcoming Meta Quest VR headsets.
The SteamVR 2.0 replace is totally free and could be accessed by clicking Steam, adopted by the ‘Verify For Shopper Updates’ possibility. It isn’t very frequent for somebody to fireplace up their VR headset to play video games — not a go-to possibility — so there is a good likelihood yours could be old-fashioned. Elsewhere, Steam has revealed its greatest releases from September, which embrace the rebranded EA Sports activities FC 24, the expansive area RPG Starfield, the gloomy Pinocchio souls-like Lies of P, and extra. The platform additionally has a Halloween Sale arising later tonight, October 26 at 10:30pm IST/ 10am PT within the US, bringing heavy reductions on choose scary video games. Certainly, for those who’re ever nervous about discovering a greater worth on a serious sale, just like the upcoming Autumn Sale, you may all the time test the value historical past on Steam Database.
