Valve, the video game giant, has just unveiled the new version of its virtual reality software, SteamVR 2.0. This major update is part of Valve's desire to unify the Steam ecosystem, thus offering a more consistent and rich experience on all devices compatible with SteamVR. This announcement marks the first step in a series of updates aimed at improving SteamVR's integration with Steam and Steam Deck features, all without compromising performance and quality.
Main new features of SteamVR 2.0:
- Full Integration of Steam and Steam Deck Features : SteamVR 2.0 integrates most of the existing features of Steam and Steam Deck, allowing users to enjoy an immersive VR experience while having access to services and games on the Steam platform.
- Keyboard Update : The virtual keyboard has been improved with support for two-cursor typing, new languages, emojis, and themes to personalize the user experience.
- Steam Text and Voice Chat Integration : Users can now enjoy Steam text and voice chat directly from SteamVR, making it simpler to communicate with other players in VR.
- Store Improvement : The Steam store puts more emphasis on new releases and popular titles in virtual reality. Additionally, access to Steam notifications has been simplified, ensuring users stay up to date with the latest news.
To take advantage of these new features and improvements, users must update their Steam client. This update can be done by following these steps: Go to Steam → Check for Steam Client Updates.
Valve would like to warmly thank the users who participated in the SteamVR beta phase for their valuable feedback. If you're interested in getting involved with future SteamVR betas, detailed instructions are available in the SteamVR Beta and Steam Client Beta FAQs.
If there are any issues or malfunctions related to this update, Valve encourages users to report them on the SteamVR Bug Reports forum, providing as much detail as possible, including a system report to help resolve the issue.
Besides the mentioned features, the SteamVR 2.0 update brings a number of technical fixes and improvements. Highlights include:
- Fixed a crash that occurred with some Unity titles when closing.
- Increased the resolution limit of the system layer, allowing for a sharper VR experience.
- Improved account preferred language support for controller configuration.
- Added a prompt to install the Bigscreen Beyond driver when detected.
- Improvements to double-click detection in desktop mode.
- Fixed various interface and display issues.
- Improved laser pointer smoothness and click and double-click functions.
- Support for dual laser pointer typing on the new virtual keyboard.
For Valve Index controllers, fixes have been made to address issues with haptic feedback and compatibility with EV3 dev kits.
For Linux users, the SteamVR 2.0 update includes significant compatibility improvements with the migration to version 3.0 of the Steam runtime. This should resolve boot issues encountered on some Linux systems.
Finally, at the driver level, several modifications have been made to optimize their operation, in particular the management of headsets and specific drivers.
The October 25, 2023 Steam VR client update also supplements SteamVR 2.0 by removing annoying warning messages, fixing crashes, and improving the user interface, especially for Linux users.
With SteamVR 2.0, Valve continues to push the boundaries of virtual reality by delivering an ever more immersive and integrated gaming experience. Users can expect constant improvements and new features as Valve continues its commitment to the VR community.