Valve Opens Sign-ups for $1,059 Steam Frame VR Headset

Valve has opened sign-ups for its new standalone Steam Frame VR headset, which starts at $1,059 and includes a copy of Half-Life: Alyx.

Steam Frame pricing and storage options are now public. The base model with 256GB of storage costs $1,059, €1,049, £889, $1,529 CAD, $1,609 AUD or 4,539 zlotys. The higher-capacity 1TB version starts at $1,299, €1,279, £1,089, $1,859 CAD, $1,969 AUD or 5,549 zlotys. Every unit includes Half-Life: Alyx, which Valve has ported to run natively on the headset as well as via streaming from a PC.

The headset supports both local and streamed flat and VR games. Steam Frame can run games locally and also stream both flat and VR titles from a PC. It marks Valve's first VR headset since the 2019 Index, featuring better screens, reduced weight, on-device tracking and inside-out tracking. The device is a fully wireless, battery-powered kit that is lighter and more compact than the Index.

Valve is using a randomized reservation system for initial orders. Interested buyers can sign up for their preferred configuration between September 14 and September 17 at 10AM PT. After the deadline, Valve will perform a one-time randomization to assign places on the reservation list or waitlist. Customers will receive an email on September 17 indicating their status.

Purchase process includes a 72-hour decision window. Those selected in the lottery can purchase on September 18. Anyone not chosen will be added to the waitlist. Subsequent purchase offers will be sent as units become available, with buyers given 72 hours to complete their order once notified. Anyone missing the initial sign-up window will join the back of the waitlist.

Accessories are offered to improve comfort and maintenance. Valve recommends its ergonomic accessories kit for comfort. Additional options include a power supply unit and an accessory replacement kit. The company previously used a similar randomized reservation approach for the Steam Machine launch in 2015.