Steam Frame VR headset (Image: VALVE)
Valve’s hardware line-up is almost complete, as the virtual reality Steam Frame device prepares to make its debut after months of silence from the platform holder. Just months after the release of the Steam Machine, Valve is back with the Steam Frame, a brand new VR headset that can be paired with your PC, and supports standalone play.
If you cast your mind back to the release of the Steam Controller, many fans missed out after scalpers purchased multiple units to resell at inflated prices. Valve changed its release strategy for the launch of the Steam Machine, holding a lottery for interested customers. The company is doing the same thing for the Steam Frame, which means you don’t have long to register your interest and enter the draw.
Indeed, if you want to register your interest in the Steam Frame virtual reality headset, then you’ll need to visit the Steam website and login to your account.
Once you’re logged in, visit the Steam Frame web page, select the 256GB or 1TB model and agree to the Terms and Conditions to join the list.
To ensure you’re in with a chance of being picked, it’s very important that you sign up by 6pm BST UK time on the afternoon of September 17.
According to Valve, the list is then closed and randomised, and successful applicants will be notified within a day.
Similar to the Steam Machine, you’ll either be added to the reservation queue, or you’ll join the Waitlist.
Valve explains more: “If you’re in the reservation queue, the model you signed up for has been reserved in your name.
“As units become available to ship, you’ll receive an email with the option to purchase. The first batch of these emails will begin going out on September 18.
“If you’ve been added to the waitlist, your place in line is beyond the number of Steam Frames currently available for reservation. We will notify you if you are moved to the reservation queue.”
The Steam Machine comes in two different varieties, including a 256GB model and 1TB model.
The 256GB model costs £889 in the UK, while the 1TB device costs a whopping £1,089.
Outside of the storage, the specs are exactly the same, featuring a 4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – ARM64 processor and 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM.
It comes with two Steam Frame Controllers, as well as a free copy of the superb Half-Life: Alyx.
Crucially, however, it also ships with a 6GHz wireless adapter, which means you can stream VR and non-VR games from your PC with very little latency.
According to the early reviews, this is said to be the best way to enjoy games via the Steam Frame, which means you might want to invest in a decent PC to get the most out of it.
