SteamVR 2.0 Finally Bringing Long-awaited Platform Features into Virtual World

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Valve has unveiled SteamVR 2.0, introducing highly anticipated platform features to the world of virtual reality after a prolonged period of silence on the subject.

The major update aligns SteamVR with the modern experiences of Steam and Steam Deck, incorporating most of their current features into the VR interface. This includes long-awaited additions such as native chats, voice chats, and an updated Steam Store and Library.

The beta release is described as just the beginning of SteamVR 2.0’s journey, with further updates and enhancements expected in the coming weeks and months as feedback is collected and additional features are worked on.

To access the SteamVR 2.0 beta, users can opt into the Steam beta branch and the SteamVR beta branch through the following steps. The release of SteamVR 2.0 may also hint at more significant developments, potentially signaling ongoing work on a standalone VR headset by Valve. However, given the company’s notorious reputation for delays, the timeline for such a release remains uncertain.

To install the SteamVR 2.0 beta and experience it before its full release, follow these steps to opt into both the Steam beta branch and the SteamVR beta branch:

Steam beta:

  1. Open Steam and click on ‘Steam’ in the menu bar. Navigate to Settings > Interface > Client Beta Participation.
  2. Set Client Beta Participation to ‘Steam Beta Update’ and allow Steam to restart.

SteamVR beta:

  1. In your Steam library, right-click on SteamVR and select Properties > Betas > Beta Participation.
  2. Set Beta Participation to ‘beta – SteamVR Beta Update’.
  3. Upon closing the window, SteamVR will begin updating to the beta branch.

Looking ahead, SteamVR 2.0 may represent more than just an enhancement to the platform’s VR interface. Ongoing company developments alongside these interface improvements hint at Valve’s continued efforts on a standalone VR headset. The timeline for this release remains uncertain, reflecting Valve’s unpredictable.