SteamVR Offers Immediate VR Access as Valve's Steam Frame Enters Lottery Pre-Orders
SteamVR lets users play VR games on Steam without waiting for Valve's $1,000 Steam Frame, which is being sold through a reservation lottery to reduce scalping.
Engadget reported that Valve is using the reservation lottery to reduce scalping, following a similar pre-order approach for the Steam Machine. SteamVR supports most headsets, including models from Valve, HTC, Meta/Oculus and other manufacturers, and gives users access to VR games through the Steam launcher, SteamVR Home and the dashboard settings.
To begin, users with a Steam account can search for SteamVR inside Steam and install it for free. After launching the application, they can sign into their Steam account if they are not already logged in, unless they are using the app offline. They then need to connect their headset, controllers and any required sensors to their PC. For wireless use, Engadget says the Steam Link app is required; it is compatible with Meta Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro, as well as HTC Vive Focus and PICO headsets.
First-time users must complete diagnostic steps before SteamVR can render games and the desktop in virtual reality. SteamVR asks them to choose between Room-Scale and Standing Only space settings. If they select Room-Scale, they must prepare a space of about 6.5 by 5 feet, then go through headset and controller tracking checks to confirm everything is connected and ready. Users may also enable the Chaperone system from the Play Area tab in Settings to monitor the available space.
Before launching a game, users find themselves in SteamVR Home, a digital hub where they can invite friends to chat and interact through avatars. The space can be decorated with items purchased on Steam or unlocked through certain Steam achievements. By pressing the menu or system button on the controller, users can pull up the dashboard to browse Steam, select VR-compatible titles from their library or the store, adjust VR settings, and view their computer desktop within virtual reality.
SteamVR settings can be reached by pressing the cog icon in the right corner of the dashboard or by opening Settings through the Desktop button in the left corner. According to Engadget, users can adjust brightness, resolution and graphics toggles there. More advanced options include Motion Smoothing, which moderates a game's frame rate to reduce motion sickness; Controller Bindings; and Advanced Frame Timings, which shows how individual VR apps perform.
Engadget noted that getting SteamVR running takes only a few minutes, and additional steps can improve the experience. The article frames SteamVR as an alternative for users who do not want to wait for the Steam Frame's lottery-based pre-order process.