Half-Life: Alyx
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life: Alyx across the outlets.
Latest coverage
"Alyx was a far, far more useful target for us" - Valve's struggle to get existing titles working on Steam Frame's ARM processor is why it's bundled with a six-year-old game, and I bet this isn't the last we'll hear of these chips causing difficulties
Valve's new Steam Frame headset bundles Half-Life: Alyx due to difficulties in getting existing titles to run natively on its ARM processor. Developers focused on overall Steam catalogue compatibility, highlighting the challenges of adapting games for ARM architecture, which prioritizes efficiency but requires significant conversion effort. This suggests future VR hardware may face similar hurdles with ARM processors.
Steam Frame price blamed on memory crisis but Steam Deck 2 plans unaffected
Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, is launching at a high price point of £889 for the 256GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB model, significantly higher than originally intended due to global memory shortages. Hardware engineer Joy Lyons stated the RAM crisis impacted their pricing targets. Despite these issues, Valve's plans for a Steam Deck successor remain unaffected, according to software developer Pierre-Loup Griffais.
Valve considered making a new VR game for the Steam Frame, before tackling the "ludicrous" task of getting Half-Life: Alyx running standalone
Valve considered developing a new VR game for the Steam Frame headset but ultimately decided to focus on making Half-Life: Alyx run in standalone VR. This decision was driven by the desire to showcase existing VR titles and the invaluable development knowledge gained from optimizing Alyx for the new hardware. The process revealed significant performance improvements applicable to other Steam Frame games.
At long last, Valve launches the Steam Frame VR headset which comes with Half Life Alyx bundled in for $1,059 /…
Valve has officially launched the Steam VR headset, after years of rumors and delays. The headset is available for reservation with a 256GB model priced at $1,049 and a 1TB version at $1,299, both including Half-Life: Alyx. Accessory bundles are also available for purchase.
Yes, the Steam Frame price is (just) over $1k
The Steam Frame VR headset has been priced at $1,059 USD for the base 256GB model, with a 1TB version costing $1,299 USD. This high price point, coupled with the recent increase in gaming hardware costs, positions it as an expensive entry into the VR market. The headset includes Half-Life: Alyx and features advanced technology like foveated rendering, but notably does not ship with a power supply.
Steam Frame VR Headset Details - Price, Specs & More
Valve has officially unveiled the Steam Frame VR headset, set for release later this year with 256 GB and 1 TB models priced at $1,059 and $1,299 respectively. The headset features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, capable of natively running Half-Life: Alyx, which is included with purchase. It boasts 16 GB RAM, a 2160x2160 LCD panel with a 72-144 Hz refresh rate, and Wi-Fi 7 support, positioning it as a significant upgrade from the Valve Index.
Nu kan du förboka Steam Frame för 1 049 euro
Valve has opened pre-orders for its VR headset, the Steam Frame, with prices starting at 1,049 euros for the 256GB model and 1,279 euros for the 1TB version. The headset streams games wirelessly from a PC and also supports standalone play with over a hundred verified titles, including Half-Life: Alyx. Reservations will be handled via a lottery system, with purchase opportunities emailed starting September 18.
The Steam Frame launches during one of the slowest periods for VR on Steam, but Valve hopes to 'rekindle the…
Valve's new Steam Frame hardware aims to revitalize the PCVR market, which has seen a decline in new game releases on Steam since 2017. Despite the rise of standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3, Valve believes PCVR still offers unique experiences and hopes the Steam Frame will bridge the gap between PC and mobile VR.
Valve opens waiting list for Steam Frame, starting at $1059
Valve has opened a waiting list for its new VR system, Steam Frame, with prices starting at $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB model. The headset features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB of RAM, and supports Android games, similar to the Meta Quest. This announcement follows the closure of VR developer Polyarc Games.
Valve decided that cutting the Steam Frame’s specs to avoid price rises wasn't "the right product choice" for the VR headset
Valve has decided against reducing the specifications of its upcoming Steam Deck VR headset to avoid price increases, despite ongoing component shortages. Engineers Josh Hudman and Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that maintaining the headset's intended performance and user experience was prioritized over cost-cutting measures, even with more affordable alternatives like the Meta Quest 3 available. Valve believes the quality of the experience justifies the higher price point.
Steam Frame review: Another best-in-class VR headset by Valve, though virtual realities clash with economic ones
Valve's new Steam Frame VR headset is a high-quality piece of hardware with innovative features like foveated streaming and a unique compatibility layer for PC games. Despite its impressive capabilities and comfortable design, the headset's high price point and limited standalone performance compared to the Meta Quest 3 and Steam Deck present significant economic barriers for consumers.
Valve’s Steam Frame VR headset opens for orders, with the cheapest model priced at a lenswatering £889 / $1,059
Valve has opened orders for its new Steam VR headset, with prices starting at £889 / $1,059 for the 256GB model. The headset is described as a versatile piece of VR kit, capable of playing PC VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx and even some flat Steam games. However, the high price point and ongoing component shortages have impacted its affordability and availability.
After two weeks with Steam Frame, Valve's latest is now my go-to VR headset, but my recommendation comes with some important caveats
Valve's Steam Frame VR headset offers a comfortable and lightweight design with impressive PC-to-headset streaming capabilities, making it a compelling option for PC VR enthusiasts. However, its standalone performance is inconsistent and less polished than competitors like the Meta Quest 3, and its high price point may be a barrier for many.
VR headset shipments are down 18% compared to this time last year, and that may not be great news for Valve
Global VR headset shipments saw an 18% year-on-year decline in Q2 2026, attributed to a lack of major game releases and rising hardware costs, impacting companies like Valve. Conversely, AR device shipments surged significantly, and VR continues to see strong demand from enterprise and government sectors for its productivity and data collection capabilities.
Gigabyte's affordable tandem OLED barely puts a foot wrong, but Alienware got in there first
Gigabyte's 27-inch GO27Q24A QD-OLED gaming monitor offers vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and a fast 240Hz refresh rate at an affordable price point. While it excels for gaming, its glossy, reflective screen and less sharp text make it less ideal for all-day office work. Despite a lower peak brightness than some premium models, it provides a strong value proposition, though the Alienware AW2726DM uses the same panel and is cheaper.
I've tried most VR headsets and this is the first to make me say 'wow' out loud in a long time
The Pimax Dream Air VR headset offers unparalleled visual fidelity and comfort thanks to its Micro-OLED displays and lightweight design, making it the first headset in a long time to elicit a "wow" reaction. However, its impressive visuals are significantly hampered by subpar controller and headset tracking, which lags behind competitors and makes fast-paced games frustrating. Despite its high price and demanding PC requirements, the Dream Air pushes the boundaries of VR technology.
No Half-Life 3 for the Steam Frame, so it looks like this six-year-old game might be the key launch offering instead
Valve is reportedly offering a free copy of Half-Life: Alyx to purchasers of its upcoming VR headset, the Steam Deck. This promotion mirrors a similar offer made when the Valve Index launched. Dataminer Brad Lynch discovered code strings indicating the promotion and noted recent updates to Half-Life: Alyx that may be optimizations for the new headset.
Jubileumsquiz: Vad kan du om Valve?
Valve is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a poll asking fans to vote for their favorite game from the studio's history. The poll includes major titles like Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, and Dota 2, among others.
30 år och fortfarande inget Half-Life 3
This article discusses the long-standing mystery surrounding the unreleased Half-Life 3, 30 years after the original Half-Life's debut. It explores the history of the series, the failed episodic continuation of Half-Life 2, and potential reasons for Half-Life 3's absence, including developer Valve's high expectations and the passage of time.
The Steam Frame is ‘just around the corner’ but the Steam Machine has already killed my interest — only Half-Life could save it now
Despite a developer's tease that the Steam Frame VR headset is launching soon, the author expresses a lack of excitement due to the high price and past disappointment with the Steam Machine. The article suggests that only a new exclusive Half-Life game could potentially salvage interest in Valve's upcoming VR hardware, though the author personally is not a fan of the series.
