In a world of ever-increasing immersion in the video games and media we consume, virtual reality is the leader. While we haven’t seen the explosion of popularity that’s speculated for the last 30 years, VR technology is getting better, as indicated by successful titles like VRChat and Meta’s foray into the technology.
Creating VR games used to be a pipe dream for most gaming developers, but now it’s become easier and more accessible with improved technologies such as the Oculus. Valve themselves also created a VR headset in 2019 called the Valve Index, bundled with Half-Life: Alyx.
On the same note, VR technology also breaks down some barriers to entry for consumers by providing an easy-to-use platform they can purchase and use in the comfort of their own homes. Prop this up with influencers streaming the technology, and you finally have a viable equation for mainstream VR usage.
Job Posting Sheds Clues on Valve VR
While it’s not much to go by, Valve’s recent job posting for a Software Engineer appears that Valve’s newest initiative will live in the VR space.
“We are looking for versatile, self-directed software engineers in computer vision who can help us achieve the next steps in VR with millions of customers world-wide.”
The post goes on to state:
“The main scope of this position is to prototype, ship, and support consumer gaming products leveraging visual-inertial tracking (HMD and controllers), camera passthrough, environment understanding, eye tracking, and hand tracking.”
This bit indicates to us that this position will be working the integration between hardware and software–and with the success of Valve’s Steam Deck, this all makes sense. While nothing has been officially confirmed, entering the hardware market as a successful new entrant is something Valve already has experience with.
Steam’s VR Titles May Make Transition Easier
Currently, a little under 4,500 Virtual Reality titles exist on Steam. Creating the hardware and systems required to make a top-of-the-line VR headset may be easier, considering Valve already has extensive experience working with and supporting VR developers.
In contrast, other VR hardware creators may not have the same resources, or developer connections, that the Steam client provides Valve. Companies like Meta have struggled with gaining the momentum they originally planned for, though with the recent announcement of the new Meta Quest Pro, we’ll just have to wait and see whether VR gains more mainstream acceptance.
Only time will tell when or if Valve will make announcements on their VR projects, but we’ll make sure to keep you updated in our News Section.
Edit: This article was edited to reflect Steam’s past VR endeavors and includes new information about the Meta Quest Pro.
