Valve Set to Unveil Steam Frame VR Headset and Innovative Controller This Week

Upcoming Announcements from Valve: What to Expect

Recent online speculation hints that Valve is poised to unveil new hardware, potentially the highly awaited Steam Frame VR headset and an updated Steam Controller, on Wednesday, November 12. This reveal also bears the potential to coincide with the long-anticipated Half-Life 3 (HLX) project.

This information originates from Brad Lynch, a reputable source in the realm of Valve hardware and display leakages. Lynch has indicated that exciting hardware announcements are imminent via a report on the Gaming Leaks subreddit. The unveiling of the Steam Frame is expected to lead to pre-orders within a fortnight, allowing Valve adequate time to detail the device’s features.

Steam Frame: A Major Advancement

The impending announcement of the new Valve headset, previously known by the codename “Deckard, ” is likely to take center stage. If the rumors about its specifications hold true, the Steam Frame represents a significant leap from the Index headset, signifying a notable shift in Valve’s approach to virtual reality.

Leaked details suggest that the Steam Frame will debut a new feature called “Frames.”These will act as dynamic visual elements, akin to floating windows, offering users a revolutionary method to interact with applications—reminiscent of the immersive operating system seen in Apple’s Vision Pro. This functionality is said to be supported by the following technical specifications:

The Upcoming Steam Controller and Capsense Technology

The anticipated headset unveiling is expected to be accompanied by news of a completely new Steam Controller. Although Laying out design images is challenging—Lynch has only shared a mockup created by AI to safeguard his sources—the controller is rumored to feature capsense technology, reminiscent of the Index controllers, albeit lacking full finger tracking capabilities.

This capsense technology will enable the controller to detect the distance of a user’s hands from its handles, leading to enhanced comfort and immersion during use. The decision not to implement full finger tracking should not detract significantly from user experience, allowing Valve to potentially keep the controller price competitive.

The new Steam Controller will look like this when it launches. I’m told that it can also detect how far your hands are from the handles using a simple capsense feature similar to the Index controllers, but not full finger tracking in the grips.pic.twitter.com/loIqpJb0YZ

— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) November 9, 2025

Half-Life 3: The Steam Frame’s Potential Masterstroke

Even for those less interested in Valve’s hardware offerings, the anticipated announcements hold significant weight, particularly for fans of the franchise due to a potential software reveal.

Recent reports suggest that the HLX project, speculated to be the next installment in the Half-Life series, is in the final stages of development. The release of the Steam Frame may coincide with the unveiling of this much-discussed title. Much like what was done with the Index and Half-Life: Alyx, the hardware launch could be strategically aligned with a game reveal that many have feared would never materialize. Although hints suggest that the upcoming entry won’t be VR-exclusive, its announcement would undoubtedly elevate this hardware launch to one of the most momentous occasions for Valve since 2019. Thus, this Wednesday’s announcements will be critical for any dedicated fan of the company.

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