Valve partners with HTC for Vive VR headset

Valve has entered the virtual reality space with Vive VR, a new headset built in partnership with mobile giant HTC.

The device was unveiled during HTC’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and is said to be the SteamVR device that has been teased and leaked in recent months. Valve is due to show more of its virtual reality plans at GDC this week.

While HTC may specialise in smart devices, Vive VR has actually been built for PC, with both the mobile firm and Valve claiming this will be "the most immersive, most premium VR experience" available, according to Engadget.

The crucial selling point backing up this claim is that Vive supports ‘room-scale environments’ that players can explore in 360 degrees by getting out of their seats and walking around virtual objects. Details on how this works have yet to be revealed, but reports of ‘tracked controllers’ will apparently help define a player’s location in a 3D space.

The developer version of Vive is expected to be released in the spring, with a full commercial launch around Christmas.

Big name partners already looking to make content for Vive VR include Google, HBO, Lionsgate, Owlchemy, Vertigo Games and Dovetail Games, with reports suggesting Valve and HTC could use this technology for more than video games. Communication, shopping and travel have also been tipped as potential uses.

Check out the reveal trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTITJSSRUso