Game dev shows off Steam Frame ahead of launch, as new package updates suggest it’s coming incredibly soon

It has been nearly 10 months since Valve first announced the Steam Frame, and fans are still waiting to hear the exact price and release date. The Steam Controller and Steam Machine have already launched, leaving the VR headset as the last major piece of Valve’s new hardware lineup to be put in the hands of the public. While we are still waiting for an official launch announcement, a game developer has now shown off several interesting features of the Steam Frame.

The developer of Bootstrap Island, Maru VR, recently uploaded a video showing the Steam Frame running the game. The footage gives us another look at how the headset works and highlights several of its features. This includes wireless game streaming through the Wi-Fi dongle, foveated streaming, and another look at how the headset fits on a user’s head. The video also shows finger tracking, which allows the headset to detect the user’s fingers without requiring traditional controllers for certain interactions. 

Another interesting detail is that Steam Frame packages had not received updates for almost half a year. That has now changed, with multiple packages receiving updates. @HardwareSteam on X pointed out that Steam Machine and Steam Controller packages were also updated shortly before Valve officially announced their price and release date.

This has led to speculation that Valve could be preparing to announce the Steam Frame very soon. Package updates alone do not confirm a launch date, but the timing is interesting when combined with the other changes Valve has made around the headset.

Valve has been quietly preparing for the arrival of the Steam Frame. For instance, the Great on Deck category for Steam Frame has continued to grow and now includes more than 100 games. This gives future owners a growing list of titles that are already being tested or considered suitable for the headset. The Steam Frame has also received FCC certification, another important step for a consumer electronics product before it can go on sale.