Leaked Details of Valve’s Upcoming VR Controller ‘Roy’: D-Pad, Bumpers, and More

Evidence indicates that Valve’s next VR controller, codenamed Roy, may feature a D-pad and bumpers, functioning like a traditional gamepad. XR expert Brad Lynch and his team uncovered this information through SteamVR code analysis. The findings suggest that Roy will be a tracked controller, distinguishing it from a new Steam Controller.

The name Roy likely references the antagonist from Blade Runner, which connects to the apparent codename of Valve’s upcoming headset, Deckard, named after the movie’s protagonist. Sources from Lynch’s investigation indicate that Roy will include at least a D-pad, bumpers, grip buttons, triggers, ABXY buttons, a system button, and a strap.

Lynch also claims that Roy is “far along in productization.” Valve has confirmed its work on a new headset over the past three years. In December 2021, Valve President Gabe Newell reiterated the company’s commitment to “big investments in new headsets.” In October 2022, Valve posted a job listing for a computer vision engineer to help develop a headset with advanced features, including inside-out tracking and eye tracking.

In December 2022, Valve’s product designer mentioned ongoing projects for a new headset. Last November, Valve suggested that the headset would prioritize wireless streaming from PCs, a recurring theme in previous leaks.

Regarding the controllers for Deckard, which may be called Roy, Valve patented a controller design in 2022 that included an IR LED tracking ring and straps similar to those of the current Index controller. However, this design did not show a D-pad. Given the advancements from competitors like Meta and Pico in controller design, it is likely that Valve has modified its plans to incorporate more modern features without tracking rings.

While the exact launch date for Deckard and Roy remains uncertain, there has been speculation about an imminent release for years. With the Index aging, a 2025 launch for a successor seems plausible.