Valve has stirred up excitement in the gaming world with a trio of major announcements, including the launch of the Steam Frame Virtual Reality headset, a new Steam Machine, and a Steam Controller. These innovations are slated to hit the market early next year, although pricing details remain under wraps.
Innovative Steam Frame: A VR Game-Changer
The **Steam Frame**, previously known as project Deckard, introduces a groundbreaking wireless ‘streaming-first’ VR headset. It features a 6GHz wireless adapter and dual radios for stable connections, allowing one radio to stream audio and visuals while the other manages the local Wi-Fi network. Designed for both VR and traditional gaming, the headset boasts a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB of Unified LPDDR5X RAM, and offers 256GB or 1TB storage options. **The Steam Frame supports standalone play for select games, marked with the Steam Frame Verified tag.** Lightweight and equipped with high-fidelity audio, the headset offers an impressive 2160 x 2160 LCD resolution per eye and a refresh rate range of 72-144Hz. Its inside-out camera-based tracking removes the need for cumbersome base stations, enhancing the VR gaming experience with precise eye-tracking and foveated streaming technology.
Steam Machine: Compact Powerhouse
Reviving the concept from a decade ago, Valve unveils a new Steam Machine, a compact 6-inch, 2.6kg cube, boasting over six times the power of the Steam Deck. Equipped with a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor and RDNA3 GPU architecture, it offers a robust gaming performance with 16GB DDR5 RAM and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. While not the pinnacle of gaming PCs, it supports 4K@60 FPS gaming and runs quietly, serving as a host PC for streaming to other devices. Operating on SteamOS, it integrates smoothly with the new Steam Controller, supporting up to four controllers and offering expandable storage via microSD.
Next-Generation Steam Controller
The new **Steam Controller** introduces magnetic thumbsticks using TMR technology, capacitive touch capabilities, and high-definition rumble for enhanced tactile feedback. A standout feature is the Grip Sense, enabling gyro aiming via capacitive touch, with options for button mapping. Weighing 292g, the controller offers 35 hours of wireless gameplay, complemented by a ‘Puck’ wireless transmitter and charging station that magnetically connects for seamless use across various platforms, including Steam Deck, Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and PCs.
