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 an entire overhaul to the person interface, in a approach that matches the present Steam Huge Image mode. The shop prioritises new and main VR releases on the prime, along with making it straightforward to navigate by means of a constant expertise throughout the desktop app, the Steam Deck, and different units. The replace was initially purported to drop in 2020.
Sustaining an analogous really feel to the Steam Deck’s interface, all of the notifications, chat messages, and even in-game screenshots are actually accessible straight whereas carrying the VR headset. The keyboard has been up to date as nicely to permit for typing in new languages and utilizing emojis — the expertise may be additional personalised by way of downloadable themes. Twin-cursor typing ought to enable 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 massive step in a bigger ongoing effort to higher unify the Steam ecosystem for all customers, offering a extra constant expertise throughout units,” the blog post reads, indicating that the interface will probably 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 system quickly. Reviews from final month recommended that the corporate registered a thriller {hardware} in South Korea — a wi-fi system, 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 throughout the subsequent few years. A standalone VR system codenamed ‘Deckard’ can also 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 may be accessed by clicking Steam, adopted by the ‘Examine For Shopper Updates’ choice. It is not very frequent for somebody to fireside up their VR headset to play video games — not a go-to choice — so there is a good probability yours is likely to be outdated. Elsewhere, Steam has revealed its biggest releases from September, which embody the rebranded EA Sports FC 24, the expansive house 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, if you happen to’re ever frightened about discovering a greater worth on a significant sale, just like the upcoming Autumn Sale, you possibly can at all times examine the value historical past on Steam Database.
