Valve's upcoming Steam Frame VR headset might launch with a familiar incentive: a free copy of Half-Life: Alyx. Dataminer Brad Lynch has uncovered code strings referencing a "Frame Alyx Promo," indicating that the six-year-old VR title could be bundled with purchases of the new hardware. Lynch noted on X that Valve previously implemented a similar strategy when offering Half-Life: Alyx for free with Valve Index VR headset purchases following the game's release.
Lynch also observed that internal versions of Half-Life: Alyx have been consistently updated since early last year, with public versions now receiving these staged updates. This suggests optimizations are being made specifically for the Steam Frame, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Lynch has a track record of accurate VR-related leaks, having previously identified code component renames to 'Frames' shortly before the Steam Frame's official reveal. He also recently spotted what he described as the first 'official' Android app on Steam, which would leverage Valve's work on its custom Android compatibility container, Lepton. In June, Lynch also posited that the VR display market could see significant improvements in the coming years, potentially through technologies like Samsung's Micro-OLEDs.
While the prospect of a free Half-Life: Alyx is appealing, the game's age and the absence of a new Half-Life installment for the Steam Frame may reflect the current state of the VR market. The Steam Frame is designed to support a non-VR game library, but the perceived scarcity of major new VR releases might temper enthusiasm for the headset among potential buyers.