Leaked Valve VR Controllers Spark Renewed Optimism for Next-Gen ‘Deckard’ Headset

Recently, some intriguing updates surfaced from a SteamVR update, offering a peek into potential new tech from Valve. Hidden within were 3D models that seem to showcase a brand-new VR motion controller, hinting that Valve might finally be preparing to bring its long-anticipated standalone VR headset, nicknamed ‘Deckard,’ to the market.

Tech analyst and YouTuber Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch has been discussing these discoveries. He revealed not just one but two new controllers within the latest SteamVR drivers. There’s ‘Roy,’ a VR motion controller, and ‘Ibex,’ a new gamepad. Unlike the usual VR controllers that feature a couple of action buttons each, ‘Roy’ offers a more classic gamepad layout. Imagine a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, and the familiar start, select, and bumper buttons—all placed above the triggers.

Why is this exciting? This traditional layout could very well enhance support for games that typically use standard controllers, allowing Deckard to leverage Steam’s immense library of both flatscreen and VR games.

You can see above how these models look when loaded into Blender, a 3D graphics software. But don’t rush to download them; it seems Valve was quick to remove them in a recent hotfix to their SteamVR software.

Bradley, who frequently covers Valve leaks, mentions that all buttons on ‘Roy’ are designed with capacitive touch, likely enhancing hand skeleton creation. Furthermore, he theorizes that some UI input may use Deckard’s rumored eye-tracking tech.

Since 2016, many VR headset makers have borrowed from the design of Meta’s Touch controllers. But Valve often forges its own path. Look at their Index controllers with those innovative wrist straps for hands-free interaction and touch pads perfect for navigating a UI or serving as input for older Vive wand controller games.

Buzz around Valve’s “Deckard” began as early as January 2021, following leaks from Steam updates mentioning this VR standalone device. Speculation suggests it might incorporate features like wireless PC VR streaming, eye-tracking, and even passthrough AR capabilities, positioning it as a competitor to devices like the Meta Quest or the Apple Vision Pro.

Also discovered was another controller model mirroring the Steam Deck’s control scheme. Known as ‘Ibex,’ this one appears with prominent dual touchpads, much like those on the Deck. You can glimpse a thumbnail render from the leaked SteamVR drivers above.

Despite enthusiastic data miners eagerly awaiting glimpses of Deckard itself, it’s still tightly under wraps, and Valve remains silent about its development. Given how fast they erased the controller models, Valve seems likely to tread carefully regarding future software leaks.

Valve’s history with leaks isn’t new—remember how the Valve Index showed up on shelves a whole six months ahead of its June 2019 release? That incident exposed the headset’s entire exterior long before the official reveal.

We’ll be closely following Valve’s moves in the months to come. The sudden appearance of controller models in the SteamVR software might mean another unexpected release is imminent, a move perfectly in line with Valve’s unpredictability.