Recently, tucked away in a SteamVR update, some intriguing 3D model leaks have surfaced, showing what might be new VR motion controllers. This discovery has reignited excitement about the long-rumored Valve ‘Deckard’ VR standalone headset, potentially edging closer to reality.
Tech analyst and YouTuber Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch revealed that the SteamVR drivers have revealed two new controllers: one, a VR motion controller dubbed ‘Roy’, and another, a gamepad going by the code name ‘Ibex’.
Diverging from the usual VR motion controllers, which feature two action buttons, the ‘Roy’ model sports a more classic gamepad vibe, offering a directional pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, along with start, select, and bumper buttons above each trigger.
This setup might allow for better integration for games typically played with conventional gamepads, giving Deckard a good shot at tapping into Steam’s vast array of non-VR titles alongside its VR offerings.
You can see in the image above how these models look when placed into Blender, a 3D graphics software. But if you’re keen on getting the files yourself, Valve seems to have swiftly removed them in a recent SteamVR update patch.
Interestingly, Lynch notes that the files hinted at each button on Roy having capacitive touch to possibly assist in capturing hand skeleton motion. He also speculates that some UI inputs might lean on the speculated eye-tracking features in Deckard.
Many VR devices have adopted Meta’s Touch controller design since its debut with the Oculus Rift in 2016. However, Valve is known for taking a unique path. Their Index controllers, known as ‘Knuckles’, offer hands-free interaction with an integrated wrist strap and compact touch pads that help navigate UIs and can mimic inputs from older HTC Vive wand controllers.
Curiosity about Valve Deckard has been simmering since early 2021, fueled by data miners uncovering its mention in a Steam update. Rumors suggest Deckard might feature PC VR wireless streaming, eye-tracking, and AR passthrough, which could put it alongside contenders like Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.
Additionally, another controller in the leak seems to echo the control scheme of Valve’s Steam Deck handheld, under the code name ‘Ibex’. The leaked SteamVR drivers also provided a glance at Ibex’s prominent dual touchpads, reminiscent of the Steam Deck’s design.
Eager data miners are still on the hunt for visuals of Deckard itself, but Valve has kept it firmly under wraps without any official word. Considering how quickly they removed the leaked controller files, Valve might tread carefully to avoid further leaks.
Whether these controller leaks were accidental or not, such things aren’t uncommon. For instance, the Valve Index was unveiled through a leak a full six months before its official release in June 2019, showing off its exterior design.
Stay tuned as we keep an eye on Valve. These controller sightings in SteamVR software might hint at another sudden and surprising release, a move Valve is notorious for making.
