A number of videos showcasing the Steam Frame’s accessories, controllers, fits, and setup process have appeared on the Arm Steam Client. Unsurprisingly, Valve pulled them shortly after they were spotted, but the internet had already grabbed them for safekeeping.
Valve’s Steam Frame is the last piece of kit from last year’s hardware showcase that hasn’t launched yet, following the release of the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. The Steam Frame looks set to debut soon, with these videos showcasing a finished, ready product, although Valve has yet to confirm details such as a release date or price.
The first tutorial video shows a cartoon Steam Frame headset wandering into the shot before being set up, with a voiceover that emulates Mr. D.N.A. from Jurassic Park. The voiceover instructs the user on how to plug it in before first use, turn it on, and get the headset up and running. Other videos cover wireless setup and how to adjust the headset’s fit.
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An Ergonomics Accessory Kit includes two controller straps, a headset top-strap, and an extended light blocker for the bridge of your nose. These are designed to rebalance the headset and help it fit different face and head shapes, although it’s unclear whether they come with the core headset or will cost extra.
The handstraps appear to be at least somewhat designed to prevent young people from slinging controllers into walls, as Valve’s instructions specifically call out their suitability for smaller hands. It notes that you can also use them as an adult, attaching them to the controllers with an elegant system using the battery compartment shell to hold them in place.
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There’s an Interpupillary Distance (IPD) wheel at the center of the headset to adjust the distance between the two lenses. This helps ensure the headset fits properly for whoever is wearing it. Valve also highlights an IPD lock inside the headset that you can click into place once you’ve found the distance that’s comfortable for you, to prevent it from changing accidentally during any active virtual reality sessions.
As someone who’s owned a number of VR headsets over the years, including the original Oculus Rift DK1 and DK2, I find it impressive how far the ergonomics and comfort of VR have come. As some recent attempts to make VR and AR mainstream have fallen flat, I don’t expect the Steam Frame to reach much beyond the original Steam Index audience, but at the very least, it has the potential to be one of the most streamlined VR gaming systems yet.
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Jon Martindale is a tech journalist from the UK, with 20 years of experience covering all manner of PC components and associated gadgets. He’s written for a range of publications, including ExtremeTech, Digital Trends, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Lifewire, among others. When not writing, he’s a big board gamer and reader, with a particular habit of speed-reading through long manga sagas.
Jon covers the latest PC components, as well as how-to guides on everything from how to take a screenshot to how to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. He particularly enjoys the battles between the top tech giants in CPUs and GPUs, and tries his best not to take sides.
Jon’s gaming PC is built around the iconic 7950X3D CPU, with a 7900XTX backing it up. That’s all the power he needs to play lightweight indie and casual games, as well as more demanding sim titles like Kerbal Space Program. He uses a pair of Jabra Active 8 earbuds and a SteelSeries Arctis Pro wireless headset, and types all day on a Logitech G915 mechanical keyboard.