Valve is not a newcomer to the game hardware market but its rumored latest direction is looking to be particularly bold. If the rumors are true, Valve may be taking another giant leap since its decision to move into digital distribution from game development almost two decades ago.
UploadVR recently found leaked images of VR headset prototypes with the Valve logo printed on the electronics. The images were simply uploaded three days prior to this publication with no details about its origin or uploader. The only indication that the VR headsets are related to Valve is the aforementioned logos.
Based on the pictures, the alleged Valve VR headsets will have built-in headphones, two cameras, and what appear to be tracking photodiodes underneath its front cover. According to the publication, the Valve VR Headset might end up being bundled with Valve's Knuckles VR controllers. But being packaged with the Knuckles VR controllers is not the only exciting thing that could come from a potential Valve VR headset bundle.
Of interest is the rumor that if Valve does go to market with the leaked VR headsets, they may package the hardware with a Half-Life game. Before any claims that the rumored game will be "Half-Life 3," the potential Valve VR headsets will most likely be packaged with a prequel game based on one of Valve's many "Half-Life" internal project pitches.
If the Valve VR Headset itself is not enough to attract a crowd of loyal supporters, the rumor that a new "Half-Life VR" game will be bundled with it might attract sales in droves. With Valve already successfully marketing its Steam Controller and Steam Link products, the only thing making this possible move into in-house developed VR hardware surprising is Valve's partnership with HTC.
Video Game enthusiasts will know that Valve is currently promoting the HTC Vive as the primary VR headset that Valve's digital distribution platform officially supports. With Valve's rumored move to develop their own VR headset, fans may now be wondering if Valve is planning to discontinue its partnership with HTC.
Fans of the HTC Vive may notice that the leaked Valve VR headsets in the images in no way resemble the current models of the HTC Vive. This difference does highlight the possibility that if Valve is developing a VR headset in-house, they are doing it without HTC's involvement.
While a dissolution of Valve and HTC's partnership has yet to become public, time will tell if Valve will push through with their own VR headset production. If they do, current users of the HTC Vive will have to hope that Valve does not drop support for the older headsets.
