It seems that valve can work on competitors for oculus search. The Eagle-Eyed Data has found what appeared to be a reference to the VR headset made by a new VR codenamed Deckard, and the reference showed that the new headset would be an independent device. No one tells if this device will see the light of the day, but this instructions are enough to show that the valve is at least exploring the idea of making a Mandiri VR headset itself.
This information comes from YouTuber and VR enthusiast Brad Lynch, which, in new videos, dives into public steamvr branches to show off some references to deckard. Combined with information found in the valve patent application, Lynch believes that the Deckard is a new VR headset that can operate as an independent device. It opposes the opposition to the valve index, which needs to be connected to a PC to function. We have embed a Lynch video below, so be sure to try it.
While videos are packaged from the beginning to the end with information, there are several main discoveries that need to be considered. The first two are the Internal SteamVR menu options called “Prism” and “Standalone System layer,” the latter shows that the VR headset will indeed operate as an independent device. Besides that, Lynch has also found a reference to the deckard in the steam binary linux arm.
Ars Technica makes things more interesting by confirming with the sources that Valve has worked on at least two new VR headsets. One of these prototype headsets needs to be tethered on a PC such as the original valve index, while others use a default processor and offer “inside tracking.” ARS even stated that Valve had brought at least one company outside to help him develop external tracking for Mandiri VR headsets.
Of course, this reference is not a difficult confirmation that the valve will release the Mandiri VR headset, and the ARS noted that Valve has begun to work on new devices just to kill them in the previous phase of the prototype. In addition, the release of the upcoming steam deck can delay the launch of the Mandiri headset too, but we only need to peel the eye for every official announcement of the valve in the future.