Leaked Valve VR Controllers Renew Enthusiasm for Next-Gen ‘Deckard’ Headset

Recent discoveries in a SteamVR update have gamers buzzing with excitement about a potential new VR motion controller from Valve. This discovery renews hopes for Valve’s much-speculated standalone VR headset, dubbed ‘Deckard’.

Tech analyst and YouTuber Brad ‘SadlyitsBradley’ Lynch announced the leak, revealing two intriguing VR controllers hidden in recent SteamVR drivers. These include a new motion controller with the codename ‘Roy’ and a gamepad going by ‘Ibex’.

Breaking from the norm of VR controllers, which usually feature just a couple of action buttons, the Roy model offers a more traditional gamepad layout. It sports a directional pad on one side, four action buttons on the other, alongside start, select, and bumper buttons above each trigger.

The image above renders these models as seen in Blender, a 3D computer graphics software. For those hoping to get their hands on the files, you’re out of luck—Valve has since removed them with a hotfix.

Lynch, well-known for his coverage of Valve leaks, points out that all the buttons on Roy have capacitive touch, possibly aiding hand skeleton creation. He also speculates that Deckard might include eye-tracking tech that could influence UI inputs.

While many VR headsets since 2016 have followed design cues from Meta’s Touch controllers, particularly those launched with the Oculus Rift, Valve has always taken a unique approach.

Valve’s Index controllers, also known as ‘Knuckles’, allow for hands-free interactions due to a snug wrist strap and include small touch pads for UI navigation. This design can mimic controls meant for older HTC Vive wand controllers.

Deckard, a name that’s been floating around since a 2021 Steam update hinted at a standalone VR headset, remains a subject of speculation. Rumors suggest Deckard might feature PC VR wireless streaming, eye-tracking, and AR passthrough capabilities, aiming to rival the likes of Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

The leaked Ibex controller mirrors the control scheme of Valve’s Steam Deck handheld, featuring the signature Deck-style dual touchpads.

Though gamers are eagerly awaiting similar leaks of the Deckard itself, Valve seems to be keeping a tight lid on those details for now. With the swift removal of the controller models, Valve might be more cautious about future software leaks.

It’s not clear whether Valve intended for these leaks to happen. Such events are common, with the Valve Index’s exterior leaking six months before its official reveal being a notable example.

As we watch Valve’s movements closely in the coming months, these controller leaks could mean a surprising new release might be on the horizon, which would certainly fit Valve’s unpredictable style.