Steam Frame Release
256 GB model: $1,059 USD
1TB model: $1,299 USD
Preorder list randomized, goes out Sept 17th
Power supply not included, costs $29 (same as Steam Deck power supply)
3rd party addon available for color passthrough, Arcturus Vision Camera, $149
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamframeOpen linkView original on midwest.social
5 replies
Man, I really hate this economy. This AI bubble cannot pop fast enough, but I fear we have at least till the end of this year, possible Q2 of next year to see it happen. Even then, it's not like it will be instant, and capacity won't just instantly switch over to normal consumer components. Assuming even more tech idiocy doesn't happen, we're still years away from a ramp up to "normal" capacity.
I'm even more scared that the era of personal computing is in it's last days. The combination of drastic cost increases, and the dominance of corpo-tech working 24/7 to destroy ownership completely, might be too much to overcome.
We'll see a return to the era of computing similar to the 80's and early 90's. Building your own PC will require lots of money and technical skills. Pre-builts will be a distant memory. PC builders will be spoken of in similar terms as HAM radio people are now, hermitic nerds who are hardcore into their ancient, dark, tech wizardry.
I wish it was cheaper but I would rather have VR without Meta at the wrong time and not great price than VR with Meta and the right time and great price.
Ughhh. Guess im not getting one of these either.
VR playing people - how much space do you need to use it? I have a place behind my PC where i can stand and move my arms around with hands out (barely) but that's about it. Feels like I should wait till i get a bigger gaming area to think about getting anything like this.
You can play games like X4 or Elite Dangerous, which don't need a okay space.
As long as you can reach out in all directions without hitting anything, you can do stationary VR and/or just use in-game locomotion (aka, move with analog stick or teleports.) Stuff like Beat Saber, pistol whip, racing sims, flight sims, any kind of cockpit game is fantastic here.
I started Half Life Alyx in a similar space to yours, just the area behind my desk with my chair pushed in, teleporting for movement (analog movement makes me motion sick, that's why teleporting is a popular workaround), It was fine and playable, but I found myself wanting to strafe and lean around corners.
So I moved my PC to the living room and had a ~20x11 foot space to play Half Life Alyx in, with my couches stood up on end and pushed the the wall. I ended up walk 20ft > rotate 180 > walk 20ft for almost the entire game and it was amazing. My feet were sore by the end, though. Roomscale just hits different.
Can the smaller model be upgraded at a later time? Is the internal storage upgradeable?
I'd definitely take the 256GB model, if it was available in my country... 😢
What country? I’m on the list. I don’t necessarily need it but if someone really wants it and will pay for the whole thing and the insane shipping costs…
Cheaper than expected given the economic hellscape, still more than the Index. Oh well. Glad they are attempting to prevent scalping, sad that it means that there's a random draw to be able to buy them. Still trying to buy one. I figure the 256GB model will be entirely fine, especially with the SD card expansion slot. Pity that you can't upgrade the storage like the Deck, but oh well.
The price I expected for the main unit, but I'm kinda pissy with them wanting an extra $60 for a few straps. That price seems kinda bullshit.
Less than the index once you account for inflation.
The index would cost 1300$ in today's money, give or take.
I expect this is why the accessories are so expensive. The ergo kit really should not cost that much, but they may have just increased the price of that so they could keep the base price of the Frame itself lower.
I'm hoping third parties have accessories out by the time it drops. I'd rather buy a boboVR kit at half the cost or something
Unless you're using it entirely as stand alone I'm not certain of needing the 1TB version truthfully.
Nice to see you finally being honest.
Well, I thought it was funny.
Stalker vibes much?
To be fair theres like 12 of us on Lemmy
There are dozen
sof us!I like your shirt today but yesterday's was fine too.
My intended use case is 100% streaming from my PC so the fixed/low storage doesn't even bother me.
Considering theres not many games and im assuming the bulk of the game devs are going to release a modified apk of their meta quest version, or scale back the PC port so it rubs via fex (less likely IMO)
Most good games on the quest tapped out at around 8-12 gigs, and im assuming that's what a bulk of people are going to running considering most vr games made games where either made for, or designed for the quest first and foremost.
That and its the same hardware just running through valves version of waydroid which I can only assume is more performant than running a x86 pc game through fex, and using something like fsr to upscale it? Maybe foviated tracking comes in a lot more clutch than I think it will. But I don't know honestly im just assuming.
Yeah, but think of all the VR porn!
How could I forget the whole reason we as a species probably even tried to make vr.
If I didn’t have an Index and a ton of games that I’ve already played hundreds of times, I’d get this. The amount I play VR at this point doesn’t justify the $1200 expense.
Also, I thought the options were 1TB or 2TB.
Any word on VR streaming from Linux? I have yet to watch and read most reviews, but I can't seem to find anything about it being exclusive to Windows like the Short Circuit leak claimed
As of now it does not work with the Steam Machine, which is kind of embarrassing. Though I expect them to fix that ASAP. Hopefully at least a beta version is available when customers get it.
Given how much valve has been advertising running the steam frame with the steam machine if it doesn't already work now it will be a priority to make it work. I trust valve's fairly consistent marketing more than a leak
Last year’s announcement trailer for Valve‘s new hardware mentioned that Steam Machine would be a great option for streaming games to Steam Frame. So it‘s pretty safe to assume that Linux support for streaming is coming.
It's safe to assume, but from GN video - it's not there.
I can almost guarantee you that if valve doesnt get it working, someone will via moonlight, ALVR, and/or WiVRn.
The amount of work that has gone into the Monado/XRizer/Envision/WayVR stack is phenomenal and gaining momentum.
Pretty much every existing streaming method is complicated and had poor results. Not to mention the lack of foveated streaming.
I am sure there will be third-party solutions working, but will they use foveated streaming? That is a huge selling point of the wireless streaming capabilities of the Steam Frame, but that feature seems to be proprietary to their first-party wireless streaming software. Without it, wireless streaming will be just okay.
I recall it comes with a USB dongle for 6GHz Wifi streaming. That's most likely going to be supported on Linux
steamos is a linux distro so presumably already working if its supposed to be able to stream from the steam machine. other distros will likely be within a couple days tops if it doesn't work out of the box.
Information seems to be mixed, but it's looking like it at least works in some cases: https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality_linux/comments/1welkhs/steam_frame_confirmed_by_linustechtips_to_not/
I think what's in question is whether the wifi dongle is widely supported. It might require some manual configuration at first.
It seems odd they wouldn't prioritise that considering how hard they've been pushing Linux/SteamOS.
The wifi dongle was demonstrated via the Steam Frame in the "first look" videos.
It'll work in Linux.
They recently updated it, which seems to have at least improved stability for me. Still can't get room configuration to run, but I can use default settings fine
WiVRn works in Fedora (over flatpak even!) since March this year, and performs better than SteamVR and possibly even Virtual Desktop - on a Quest 2. WayVR provides desktop portal and playspace dragging. Very recent update makes the interface look good and also provides USB Ethernet support for Android headsets (Quest etc.) if you prefer wired
I've streamed Steam games from my Linux PC to my Steam Deck. Other than increased resolution and the foveated streaming, it should be the same or similar enough technology to go to the Frame. I would be surprised if it didn't work. Especially because this "generation" of Steam hardware so far has great interoperability between the Steam Machine and Controller, I would expect them to have thoroughly tested streaming from the Machine to the Frame.
I'm happy it's here and probably will get one down the line. Equally as mad that it's surely gone up in price thanks to all the AI and other bullshit, not only not costing less than Valve Index (as had been originally rumored, I think), but more.
Super sour about the not included PSU. Hate it about the smartphone market, too.
But as a VR enjoyer, I'm still happy.
Whatever they would have added as an PSU and have you pay for it a premium, you can buy for next to nothing online with better features and performance, while not generating a bunch of e-waste if you don't need one (like me - i doubt they would have added a 100W charger with 3 USB-C ports).
Edit: Just saw they want 39€ for a 45W PSU with a 2.5m cable - go buy something better for cheaper, for real. If you are strapped for cash, this one delivers 100W with one port for under 17€: https://www.amazon.de/PAEBAI-Ladeger%C3%A4t-Netzteil-Pixelbook-ThinkPad-rosa-wei%C3%9F/
I have like 3k of these things, so personally I'm very happy to not have to spend another $30 on a worse one that's just going to get chucked in a drawer anyway.
As someone who has never played with VR much but would consider a Steam Frame in the future what kind of things do you enjoy it with?
I really enjoy VR chat. My IRL friends go to movie worlds there to stream anything we want and watch it together regularly, although you don't need a headset for that just makes it more fun.
You can also do No Mans Sky and Subnautica in VR. I did it for the Forest and that was fun.
The VR game is Beat Saber, hands down. Hands up. Hands down. Hands up. Hands down.
Oh I would 100% get that one but also I'm not looking to spend $1k purely on VR novelty games
Former vive owner here. Beat saber isn't a novelty it is legitimately something to spend dozens of hours on. I'm buying either a frame or a used index specifically for beat saber.
I think some of the best VR games are unofficial ports of flat games like Jedi Outcast or Alien Isolation. In my opinion VR is the definitive way of playing Doom 3.
Half Life: Alyx, Beat Saber, Superhot, Budget Cuts, Space Pirate Trainer, Waltz of the Wizard etc. are all great VR games. If you like horror games, the FNAF series, The Forest, etc. also has some great VR games.
There are other tangentially fun things to do with VR, too. I watch movies in BigScreen with friends and family sitting on a virtual couch together. VRChat is fun to just meet and chat with people. This headset also plays 2D games, which I'm intrigued by, both on headset and streaming. I can stream Steam games on my Quest headset, too, but it's lower resolution on the Quest 2.
If you've never tried it, Google Earth VR is tons of fun! I don't know what it is about looking at little miniature cities, but it's just so compelling. Also fun is when you turn on human-scale and actually have to look up at the buildings and such as you walk or fly through the city.
I'm happy with the fex coming out that someone is very likely to get all the unreal engine vr mods to play nicely with Linux. So many community projects showed up on github when the steam deck came out, just having a dedicated community based around a standard piece of hardware seems to bring enough hype to get shit done. Really excited for the possibility of arch64 Linux phone distros that people make due to this.
Other than that I'm worried theres not enough vr games, and I'm highly certain the steam frame isnt going to bring a new wave of vr devs like the quest 2 did.
Most the vr games I played consistently where multiplayer and have all died off, and for me theres not much else, the other titles its more of a novelty. Majority of titles are the equivalent of walking the plank simulator and charge 20 bucks still, while still feeling like an shitty free game off the google play store.
I'd want it for all the other things like 3d modeling, or other weird applications that are more tinkering focused. I'm excited that its Linux I might be able to set up some kind of UI/HUD, or actually engage with the hardware in some meaningful way. I just don't see vr taking off again to the point where I can justify 1k USD purchase, I pretty much only played 1 game when I had a quest and the measly 300 dollars the quest costed was hard enough to justify so I could play a single 10 dollar multiplayer game.
I'm blown away that no one has mentioned lone echo 1 and 2. IMO they are the crown jewel of the best use of the VR medium for immersive gameplay and story telling, surpassing even half life alyx.
This is exactly what I was curious about, I'd never heard of these. Thanks!
Do you liek trains? Derail Valley Simulator, a game that started out as funny physics meme turned hyper realistic train engineer job simulator. You get to realistically drive big chugga chugga choo choo - or a diesel electric if you're boring. They also have the funny pump handle cart
Lmao imagine asking someone on Lemmy if they like trains OF COURSE I LIKE TRAINS
I use VR primarily for seated simulation games. Flight sims, racing, space... VR brings a whole new level of immersion and situational awareness that makes these sort of sims better, and makes me better at playing them.
One of the few times I played around with VR was a racing game and it was awesome, but I'm not a big racing games person so my concern is that would not have much value beyond novelty.
Why are you asking if your response to every example use case is "that's just a novelty"? All games are novelties in one sense or another. What are you looking for?
Like something with a narrative or maybe simulation or strategy. But "racing except VR" is just a novelty for me. I guess what I mean is not arcade style games that exist just to be fun/addicting.
I'm not against that sort of thing by any means it's just not enough to justify buying it for me.
"Narrative but VR", "simulation or strategy but VR" sound like novelties to me.
I don't think VR is for you mate, and that's okay.
I Expect You to Die, the game series. Funny room escape secret agent story game series. Does a great job of utilizing VR controls and room layout without requiring you to leave your seat. Also has an interesting story to it.
Looks awesome thanks for sharing
https://store.steampowered.com/app/451010/Kittypocalypse/
Pick something fun and short (not skyrim vr) for having something heavy on your face makes everything exhausting and sweaty. Beatsaber sounds dumb but its the perfect fit for the medium Hmm actually cut that, the perfect fit for the medium is porn
Simracing for me. Automobilista 2 in VR is sublime.
Minecraft should work pretty well in it via ViveCraft, if you're comfortable modding. It officially supports Linux play
I loved The 7th Guest VR
For me at least I don't use any of my original usb device chargers. I have a GaN charger with 2 cables by the sofa and one by my desk.
I totally use the 45w charger that came with my steam deck oled. It's nice. This looks to be the same one.
But I only have one kidney left.
Your liver grows back. Just saying.
The lottery is cool but too bad this time they don't allow you to join the list for both options to increase your chances of getting one in the first batch. I decided to go with the 256GB one. I don't think I'll be using it standalone very much, so I don't really need the extra storage. And while I believe there will be more people signing up for that one, there will also be more units available, making the chances pretty much equal. Obviously, saving 200+ euros is a plus too.
69€ for the pretty much mandatory "Ergonomic Accessories" pack is just dumb, imo. For a 1000+ euros product I would expect that stuff to be included.
Its an anti scalping measure. That seems counter to preventing scalping
With the Steam Machine you could sign up for all 4 of the options, but you were only given the option to purchase 1 of them, not all that you signed up for. So, yes, it was anti-scalping.
The primary anti scalping mechanisim Valve employes is randomizing delivery order. Being in line first because you have the fastest bot does not guarantee getting the goods first.
The original commentator is complaining they can't join the waiting list multiple times for the express purpose of "increase your chances of getting one in the first batch". That would give scalpers a potential way to get more of an advantage. And runs directly counter to anti scalping.
You are complaining you can't decide what you want once you get through which is a different issue. Though allowing that would likely make waitlists muchore complex
There is nothing I have ever seen or played in VR that could justify this price for me. I understand the tech is expensive, but I really am not willing to pay more than like $200 for something that feels like such a gimmick. If this is your thing though, have at it.
Anyone know how the "one signup per household" rule works in detail? Partner and I both want one, but wanting to know if we'll need to wait for a more opened release window for a second one
It's covered in the terms and conditions of the sign-up process. Here are the key bits:
Oh. Great. Only €1K. Super...
😢
1k if your country supported that is, no luck in Serbia - we clearly leave outside of Europe.
A couple months ago, when I posted news about the FCC approval, people were whining that it was going to start at $2K. They didn't quite hit their initial target of "less than the Index" but I still call this a win.
Less than I expected yet still expensive. But, I would pay more than double to not get a meta headset.
I would of bought no hesitations for around 750 USD. 1200USD is where I thought it was going to be for the 256, and is the price point I say I have no use for it.
1100 is still too rich for my taste, but I was surprised too.
this is so crazy absurd. so damn expensive.
CA$1,529 for the 256gb, without hand straps. Gonna pass.
$1859 for the 1tb. I'm good lol
Before tax.
And no power cord.
Price is alright given the market conditions, but the lottery really ticks me off.
Imo the lottery is the most fair way of doing it. Instead of people being lucky to be awake/available right as the announcement dropped, everyone has the same chance of being placed early in the queue.
The lottery is fine, it's the fact it's even necessary I abhor.
Would you rather their entire stock gets bought up by bots to be scalped?
No, I'd love there to be enough supply for the vast majority of prospective buyers.
I don't understand this comment at all... Surely valve would also want to have enough supply for every single person who wants one to give them their money. But we live in the real world with real material and logistical constraints, so isn't the lottery the best solution to getting the limited devices in the hands of people who actually want to use it?
I tried to pre order a zelda anniversary and was too busy and ended up trying to buy it an hour after orders opened and I couldn't buy it (unless I paid 2x the price on ebay). Lottery is the much better way to do preorders.
Or, you know, producing enough to meet demand from the start. People have gotten so used to sought after items being in short supply, the thought that companies can actually gauge demand quite well and could produce enough stock doesn't even cross their mind anymore.
Please suggest an alternative, then, that prevents scalping and doesn't only favor the specific demographic that you are in.
Oh no, the lottery is the most fair way to deal with expected demand far exceeding supply, no question about that.
I just long for a time when there was enough supply right from the start. I can't remember having to queue or wait weeks for sought-after electronics in my youth. I don't even blame Valve here, it seems to be more common everywhere now.
Are you old enough to remember the retail shortages of gaming consoles when they released in the 90s? People were scalping them out of car trunks back then.
Even if we ignore the silicon shortage, it doesn't make sense for Valve to set up the facilities and supply chains to fully satisfy the day-one demand, only to shut them down months later when the demand falls off and no longer justifies the expense of operating them. The up-front cost of setting up additional factories, especially for the custom high precision optics, would be a massive waste. The other option would be to build up a larger stockpile before the product is released, but then you'd still be waiting all the same.
In terms of hardware, Valve is not a significant player. They sell niche products meant for enthusiasts, and the lottery is the most pragmatic way to get them into hands.
Ah. Yes. Yet another soon to be dead VR headset, because nobody gives a fuck about that. Reminds me the inevitable 3D TVs.
Our Valve Index has been going for many years. I've put a considerable amount of money into it, but that happens with children.
A shame - I feel like VR really needs a loss leader to actually build more foundation for developers to actually care... but at least its out now I guess
Isn't that what meta's been doing for a decade?
Doesn't seem to be working too well for them
Yes, because they didn't focus on gaming or useful capabilities but instead tried to develop a PG-rated (as in, for kids) platform for work. Meta's management literally thought everyone would want to strap on a VR headset and wear it all day for work.
Meanwhile, loads of fantastic games had people buying headsets just to play the game they want.
Basically, Meta invested all their time and money in all the wrong things. All the stuff nobody actually wants to do with their VR headset. I mean, come on: They wanted to do away with the controllers! That's how anti-gaming their focus was.
They tried so hard to push this as a workspace thing due to covid and the apple vr head set. Meta really wanted vr to be for everything but gaming which was the only thing that did well.
They could of been successful too, the first big wave of vr came from the success of the quest 2, and they used all the success to buy all the game devs only to shut down all the games, and force them to work on the meta verse.