Leaked Valve VR Controllers Ignite Hopes for Next-Gen ‘Deckard’ Headset

In a recent twist, hidden 3D models discovered in a SteamVR update have stirred excitement about a possible new VR release from Valve. The models, believed to belong to a VR motion controller, could be hinting at the much-discussed ‘Deckard’ VR standalone headset.

Tech analyst and YouTuber Brad Lynch, known in the community as ‘SadlyitsBradley,’ broke the news about these newly unearthed controllers. According to his report, SteamVR drivers have leaked two controllers. One is a VR motion controller, code-named ‘Roy,’ and the other a gamepad called ‘Ibex.’

What sets the Roy model apart from typical VR motion controllers is its conventional gamepad-style button layout. Instead of just two action buttons per controller, Roy sports a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, and both start/select and bumper buttons. It’s potentially a design aimed at offering better compatibility with games traditionally played with gamepads, opening up Steam’s vast library of flat-screen titles to VR enthusiasts.

The image shown, which was brought to life using Blender, gives us a peek at these models, though Valve has quickly scrubbed the files from newer SteamVR software updates.

Digging deeper, Lynch reveals that each button on Roy likely has capacitive touch capabilities, which might assist in creating hand skeleton models. There’s also speculation the user interface might leverage Deckard’s rumored eye-tracking features.

Many VR manufacturers have followed a path similar to Meta’s Touch controllers, ever since they debuted with the Oculus Rift in 2016. However, true to their innovative spirit, Valve has always dared to deviate from the norm.

With Valve’s Index controllers, also known as ‘Knuckles,’ the design adds a unique ‘hands-off’ interaction. This is facilitated by a snug wrist strap and includes small touch pads for navigating interfaces. They can mimic inputs from the older HTC Vive wand controllers, broadening their utility.

Talk of the Valve Deckard has been swirling since early 2021 when a reference to it was unearthed in a Steam update. Rumors suggest it could feature wireless PC VR streaming, eye-tracking, and perhaps even AR passthrough capabilities—pitting it against big players like the Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

Also caught in this recent leak is another controller model echoing the design of the Steam Deck handheld. This model, the Ibex, is characterized by its Deck-like dual touchpads. The render thumbnail shared in the leaks shows a striking resemblance to the Steam Deck’s controls.

While there’s hope among data miners for renderings of the Deckard hardware itself, Valve has been silent and cautious, possibly due to their swift removal of these controller details from public access.

Leaked hardware details from companies like Valve aren’t novel; they happen frequently, as evidenced by the Valve Index leaking six months prior to its official 2019 release.

As we watch this space, there’s a sense of anticipation that Valve might surprise us with another unexpected launch. Until then, we’ll keep tracking any hints and glimpses of what might unfold next in the world of VR.