Leak of Valve VR Controllers Sparks Renewed Optimism for a Next-Gen ‘Deckard’ VR Headset

Recently discovered 3D models tucked away in a SteamVR update have ignited excitement about a potential new VR gadget from Valve. Many are buzzing with anticipation that the long-speculated ‘Deckard’ standalone VR headset might finally be on its way.

Tech expert and YouTuber Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch shed light on this development. He reported that fresh leaks in the SteamVR drivers revealed two intriguing controllers: one is a VR motion controller, dubbed ‘Roy’, and the other is a gamepad, referred to as ‘Ibex’.

The ‘Roy’ controller stands out from the typical VR devices we know. Instead of the usual two-button setup, it mimics a more conventional gamepad design. On the left, there’s a directional pad, while the right side hosts four action buttons. Additional start and select buttons join bumper buttons near the triggers on each side. This configuration suggests Deckard’s potential to integrate seamlessly with Steam’s extensive collection of standard game titles, beyond just VR-specific ones.

In the image above, you can see how these models look when brought into Blender, a popular 3D graphics tool. However, if you’re trying to grab these files, Valve seems to have removed them with a quick SteamVR software fix.

Lynch, who has a track record of digging up Valve-related leaks, highlighted that the files suggest all of Roy’s buttons are capacitive. This feature likely helps in creating a skeletal hand representation. Furthermore, Lynch speculates that some interface interactions might leverage Deckard’s rumored eye-tracking abilities.

Traditionally, many VR headset makers have favored designs similar to Meta’s Touch controllers, which first appeared in 2016 with the Oculus Rift. Yet, Valve has always paved its own path. Take their Index controllers—known as ‘Knuckles’—for example. These offer ‘hands-off’ interaction capabilities via a comfortable wrist strap and include touch pads for navigating user interfaces, which can also replicate controls for older HTC Vive wand games.

The Deckard headset has been a topic of speculation since January 2021, when data miners discovered mentions of it in a Steam update. Word on the street is that it might feature wireless PC VR streaming, eye-tracking, and AR passthrough capabilities, putting it in the ring with the likes of Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

Another controller, presumably linked to Valve’s Steam Deck, emerged in the leak, echoing similar controls to the handheld device. Dubbed ‘Ibex’, it’s showcased below in a render model leaked from SteamVR drivers, flaunting its dual touchpads reminiscent of Deck.

There’s hope among data miners for similar revelations about Deckard itself, though Valve has been tight-lipped. Given their swift removal of the newly leaked controller models, the company may tread cautiously with any future software leaks.

Such slips, whether orchestrated or accidental, aren’t entirely new for Valve. Remember when Valve Index details were leaked six months before its official launch in June 2019? That leak offered a complete look at the VR headset’s design.

As these developments unfold, we’ll be watching Valve closely. The inclusion of these controller models in the SteamVR software might signal an unexpected launch—something not uncommon for Valve.