HTC Announces Vive Virtual Reality Headset Powered by Valve’s SteamVR

HTC has announced the Vive headset, a new virtual reality headset in development with Valve in cooperation. This follows an announcement from Valve that it would have “a previously-unannounced SteamVR hardware system” demo from March 4-6 at GDC 2015 in San Francisco. The Developer Edition is expected to be available later in Q2 to qualifying developers who apply on the Steam Universe website.

“The Vive headset was developed in conjunction with Valve, creators of such ground-breaking games as Portal and Half-Life. HTC manufactures some of the finest consumer electronics on the planet and Valve is an unrivaled architect of virtual worlds, so you know the collaboration is something special.”

The Vive Developer Edition features a 1,200 by 1,080 pixel screen for each eye with refresh rates of 90 frames per second, audio output jacks for headphones, and a gyrosensor, accelerometer, and laser position sensor which work together to track physical motion as accurately as possible. An optional pair of Steam VR base stations can track physical location in a 15 feet by 15 feet space allowing the user to walk in the virtual environment.

The Vive from HTC adds a new major competitor to the VR headset game previously headlined by Samsung Gear VR, Project Morpheus from Sony, and Oculus Rift. At this time, none of these projects have a finalized consumer release and release date, though developer versions of the Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift can be purchased respectively for $199.99 and $350.00.