Because the launch of its first (and to this point, solely) VR headset in 2019 and its flagship VR recreation in 2020, Valve has been worryingly quiet about its future plans for VR. However current hiring and job listings counsel the corporate continues to be working towards next-gen VR {hardware}.
It’s been practically 4 years because the launch of Valve Index, a number one PC VR headset which has held its floor because the second most-popular headset on the platform for longer than most might need anticipated. However the growing older headset mirrors the growing older PC VR panorama normally which has taken a again seat to Meta’s Quest platform after it captured the eye of a bulk of VR builders.
However Valve will not be finished with VR but. As YouTuber Brad Lynch identified final month, the corporate just lately introduced in two new folks with expertise in VR shows and optics, one in every of which claims to be advising the corporate on “next-gen Valve Index and Steam Deck merchandise.”
Valve has made a pair VERY notable hires just lately for his or her {hardware} groups
One being what appears to be their first full-time Show architect that has a fluent historical past in OLED/HDR
And a marketing consultant centered on bringing “Subsequent Gen Valve Index” merchandise for business launch pic.twitter.com/nGpo859ore
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) April 23, 2023
Moreover we’ve noticed some fascinating updates to Valve job listings displaying the corporate continues to be very all for hiring folks with VR experience.
As of late 2022, the corporate’s itemizing for a Visible & Consumer Expertise Designer didn’t embrace any point out of VR, however someday between then and March 2023, the corporate up to date the outline to point that the rent would “create UI to be used throughout desktop, cellular, handheld & VR.”
Equally, the Software program Engineer for {Hardware} itemizing was up to date someday between mid-2022 and March 2023 with new language particularly regarding “the subsequent technology of VR and hand-held gaming merchandise,” and “core VR Applied sciences (monitoring, optical calibration, show customization).”
Add that to a handful of teases from the corporate in the previous few years, and it certainly looks like VR stays on the radar internally at Valve, regardless of little exterior communication to that finish. Granted, Valve is fairly distinctive as an organization, typically working at its personal tempo on initiatives that will or might not ever launch. Whereas there’s no telling if the corporate’s inner VR effort is on the backburner or actively transferring ahead, it’s clear the corporate nonetheless needs to rent and retain workers with VR experience.
