Exciting news is brewing in the virtual reality world! It seems Valve might be on the verge of unveiling its highly anticipated Steam Frame VR headset, and the timing couldn’t be more dramatic: a potential reveal during Meta Connect. Influential VR content creators are reportedly converging in Seattle, dropping tantalizing, not-so-subtle clues across their social media channels, hinting at a major announcement.
This potential unveiling comes after a recent Steam Hardware Survey highlighted the overwhelming dominance of Meta headsets, which now capture over 63% of Steam’s total VR user base. It’s becoming increasingly clear that a fresh Valve VR headset is needed to challenge this market leader. The original Valve Index, while once a top contender, has seen its premium price and performance outmatched by newer devices like the Meta Quest 3. For Valve’s rumored new VR device to truly stand out, it will need to offer exceptional performance alongside an attractive price point. But before we discuss specifications, we first need official confirmation of its existence.
The surging belief in a Steam Frame reveal stems from prominent VR creators, including Nathie, a well-known VR, AR, and XR YouTuber. Nathie, who vividly recalls the surprising Valve Index reveal happening during one of their live streams, recently sparked further speculation. They posted a ‘Greetings from Seattle’ message on X (formerly Twitter), complete with an image featuring the iconic Space Needle. While their X profile suggests attendance at Meta Connect (which is actually in California), a follow-up post clarified they wouldn’t be at the event, but hoped to be in the area for ‘networking.’ This careful wording only fuels the fire of rumors.
Other notable VR personalities are also fueling the rumors. YouTubers Cas and Chary XR, for instance, are either declining or weren’t invited to Meta Connect this year – a first for them since COVID restrictions eased. In a rather telling response to a post subtly referencing the Steam Frame, they shared a winking Tom Hardy GIF. Given their extensive coverage of the Valve Index and their earlier reporting on the new Valve VR headset rumors, it’s highly plausible they’d be privy to any such secret announcement.
Of course, a healthy dose of skepticism is always advised with such speculative news. However, it’s crucial to remember Valve’s track record of strategically upstaging rivals with VR reveals. The original Valve Index, for example, made its grand debut concurrently with the 2019 Facebook F8 conference, where Oculus unveiled its Quest and Rift S headsets. Should Valve choose to maintain this cheeky tradition, a surprise Steam Frame reveal during Meta Connect would be perfectly in character.
For now, these remain exciting rumors and whispers, so approach them with a hefty grain of salt. Nevertheless, we’ll be vigilantly monitoring Valve’s official social media channels this Wednesday evening for any developments.
If you already own a PCVR headset and are seeking new experiences, explore our recommendations for the best VR games.
Are you hoping for another tethered Valve VR headset, similar to the original Index, or do you prefer the convenience of a standalone device like the Meta Quest? We’d love to hear your thoughts!