Valve Develops Essential XR Components, Indicating ‘Deckard’ Standalone May Enter Production Phase

Valve’s much-anticipated standalone XR headset, known by its code name ‘Deckard’, has generated buzz ever since whispers about its existence started circulating in 2021. Recently, Brad Lynch—a respected tech analyst and enthusiastic VR commentator, who goes by ‘SadlyItsBradley’—uncovered some fresh insights suggesting that Valve might soon ramp up production for this eagerly awaited gadget.

Although the Deckard remains largely enigmatic, the grapevine suggests that Valve’s upcoming headset will operate independently while also being capable of wirelessly streaming PC VR games. This positions it as a rival to devices like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

Brad Lynch, who often finds himself in the midst of XR industry leaks, has pointed out that Valve has recently been importing gear into the United States specifically to manufacture facial interfaces for VR headsets. “This equipment is coming from Teleray Group, the same company that supplied gaskets for the Valve Index and HP G2 Omnicept,” Lynch mentioned in a post on X.

Considering that the Valve Index is approaching six years old, it’s improbable that the company is designing new facial components for its older PC VR headset. This leaves the highly anticipated new entrant into the XR world as the most likely focus.

The motivation behind Valve’s decision to produce key parts within the US remains cloudy, particularly given the backdrop of heightened tariffs on Chinese imports as enacted by former President Donald Trump.

Lynch has noted that Valve is using a US-based production site, which previously handled the production of Lighthouse 2.0 base stations, now cleared out for nearly two years. Speculating, Lynch suggests, “Perhaps Valve intends to leverage that facility for manufacturing new components while Deckard is available, potentially avoiding some tariff issues. It’s also possible they’re prototyping new head-mounted display gaskets near Valve’s location. But given their history, they probably already have the necessary small-scale R&D equipment.”

With rumors swirling around Deckard for almost four years, reports and leaks have piled high, building anticipation. The latest updates, however, hint at Valve warming up the production line, suggesting we might soon witness the official announcement.

In November 2024, clandestine 3D models found during a SteamVR update leak unveiled a new VR motion controller, code-named ‘Roy’. Notably, it shifts away from typical VR motion layouts, opting instead for a conventional gamepad-style button arrangement rather than the widely-accepted Touch format. If Valve sticks with this innovative design, Deckard could present an input experience aligned with the Steam Deck.

Later, in February, a well-known leaker and data digger, ‘Gabe Follower’, claimed that Valve plans to release Deckard by the end of 2025 with a price tag of $1,200. He argues that Deckard’s tentative $1,200 price will likely be sold at a loss and notes it will probably run the same SteamOS as Valve’s handheld, the Steam Deck, albeit tailored for a VR experience.