Valve’s Leaked VR Controllers Renew Speculation About Next-Gen ‘Deckard’ VR Headset

Recent discoveries in a SteamVR update have unveiled hidden 3D models that seem to hint at a new VR motion controller. This exciting find has rekindled the buzz around Valve’s long-anticipated standalone VR headset, tentatively named ‘Deckard.’

Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch, a tech analyst and YouTuber, brought the leak to light. Within the updated SteamVR drivers, two new controllers were spotted: a VR motion controller known as ‘Roy’ and a gamepad referred to as ‘Ibex.’

What makes Roy stand out is its rather conventional gamepad layout, which deviates from typical VR motion controllers that often only have a couple of action buttons per controller. Instead, Roy sports a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, including start and select buttons, plus bumpers positioned above the triggers. Such a configuration may enhance compatibility with titles ordinarily played with traditional gamepads, potentially allowing Deckard to leverage Steam’s vast collection of flat-screen and VR games.

The image accompanying this article shows what these models look like once imported into Blender, the popular 3D graphics toolset. However, if you’re hoping to get your hands on the files, Valve has already patched them out in a recent SteamVR software update.

Historically, Lynch has been a go-to source for Valve leaks, and he insists these models include capacitive touch features on each button. This technology could aid in hand skeleton creation. Additionally, Lynch speculates that some of the UI controls might take advantage of Deckard’s rumored eye-tracking abilities.

Though many VR headset makers, since the days of Meta’s Touch controllers that launched with the Oculus Rift in 2016, have stuck to similar styles, Valve has always taken a different path. Their Knuckles controllers offer ‘hands-off’ interaction thanks to a wrist strap design, and they also include touchpads that assist with navigation and emulate inputs for older HTC Vive wands.

Discussion around the Valve Deckard has persisted since early 2021 when data miners unearthed a reference in a Steam update. The standalone VR headset is believed to come with features like PC VR wireless streaming, eye-tracking, and passthrough AR, which could put it in direct competition with offerings such as the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro.

Another interesting controller model that surfaced follows the design language of the Valve Steam Deck, code-named Ibex. The leak threw up thumbnail renders of this device featuring dual touchpads, much like the Steam Deck handheld.

The gaming community is eagerly anticipating the discovery of renders related to Deckard itself. So far, Valve has remained silent on the matter, and among the mysteries, the company has shown a quick hand in retracting leaked controller models—an indication they may proceed cautiously with any further software leaks.

Whether these leaks were a fluke or a planned tease, they’ve set the stage for another possible surprise release by Valve. Remember, they infamously dealt with a major leak with the Valve Index nearly six months before its official launch, revealing the headset’s complete exterior design.

As we await further developments, all eyes are on Valve. The recent sneak peeks in SteamVR may just be the beginning of an exhilarating ride, staying true to Valve’s unpredictable release nature.