Valve launches VR-friendly Steam interface

Gaming company Valve is giving computer game enthusiasts one reason to switch to its Steam platform, as it released an experimental virtual reality user interface for Steam.

 

Dubbed SteamVR, the new interface was unveiled shortly before the company's developer conference, according to a report on PC World.

 

"The new VR functionality is designed for Steam’s 'Big Picture' mode—the desktop client’s immersive, TV-friendly full screen view," PC World said.

 

But it added this will be available only in the Steam beta desktop client, and users should start Steam from the command line using the “-vr” flag.

 

Users will need an Oculus Rift headset to use the new functionality, it added.

 

Oculus may release an official consumer version of its Rift product this year, even as Sony is also experimenting with VR.

 

PC World noted Valve has many VR developer sessions planned where it will talk about VR and the Steam client.

 

Talks will also center on Valve’s own prototype virtual reality headset.

 

"It seems that Steam Machines are just the beginning of Valve's hardware ambitions," PC World said. — TJD, GMA News