LG has announced it is partnering with Valve to create a high-fidelity VR headset for gaming. According to the announcement, the headset will make use of Valve’s royalty-free SteamVR 3D tracking technology.
LG was silent on any specific details about the VR headset. However, it’s quite possible the electronics company will reveal the headset during Valve’s GDC 2017 booth next week.
It’s worth noting that HTC is already working with Valve on its HTC Vive VR headset. The HTV Vive released last year, as did PlayStation VR and Oculus Rift. LG is a little behind the others, though if the company does decide to officially reveal its SteamVR headset next week, it’s likely sales will begin soon.
It’s also worth mentioning that this isn’t LG’s first foray into virtual reality. The company previously released its 360 VR headset for its LG G5 smartphone. Gamers will undoubtedly be interested to see what specs the new LG VR headset sports when it launches, as well as which platforms it will work with. There’s also currently no price set for the LG VR headset.
At the moment, HTC’s Vive VR headset is one of the more expensive VR headsets on the consumer market at $799. That seems to be a bit above what most gamers are hoping to pay for such a device and has pushed HTC to institute a payment plan for the HTC Vive starting at $66 per month.
It’ll be interesting to see what price point LG decides on for its VR headset. Obviously, the $799 price tag is a hefty one for most gamers. PlayStation VR’s headset runs $399, and seems closer to what most gamers expect for such a device. It shouldn’t be long before gamers learn what LG decides.