Half-Life: Alyx made its debut five years ago.
Widely regarded as a landmark in virtual reality gaming, Alyx released shortly after the Index headset, representing the first among three major VR titles that Valve had hinted at prior to the launch of the headset.
However, the expectation for the remaining two titles has not materialized, as Valve confirmed that, as of Alyx’s launch, they were not in the pipeline. Since the introduction of the $1000 Index, Valve has only rolled out one game and commissioned two brief demos, Aperture Hand Lab and Moondust.
Back in February 2017, Valve’s Gabe Newell announced that the company was developing three “full” VR games. Fast forward more than three years, and we finally have Half-Life: Alyx available today. Are the other two Valve VR games still coming?
No other gaming company would be able to escape scrutiny like this. Can you imagine the uproar if Nintendo or Sony had taken a similar approach with the Switch or PlayStation 5? Yet, Valve seems to receive a pass.
Paradoxically, it’s Meta that frequently faces accusations of being on the verge of abandoning VR gaming. Year after year, rumors circulate about Meta withdrawing from the gaming scene. But since the launch of Alyx, Meta has introduced titles such as Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, Lone Echo 2, Resident Evil 4 VR, Assassin’s Creed Nexus, Asgard’s Wrath 2, and Batman: Arkham Shadow, delivering a major VR title almost annually. Furthermore, they have supported numerous indie developers, unlike Valve, who has not shown similar initiative.
Meta claims to have funded over 100 VR and mixed-reality titles released in 2024, with more than 200 currently in “active production.”
I mention Valve’s lack of a solid commitment to VR because it is among the few companies that truly grasp the potential of the medium, which makes their absence from significant VR development quite evident.
Half-Life: Alyx is not merely a conventional game adapted for VR; it is a meticulously crafted experience designed specifically for virtual reality. Despite its expansive narrative, Alyx leverages engaging hand interactions, avoids clunky inverse kinematics, and emphasizes high-quality visuals with detailed textures rather than relying on flashy lighting effects.
Although SteamVR has progressed over the last six years, its growth has been painfully slow. Could we envision a scenario where Valve utilized its existing franchises, such as Counter-Strike, Portal, Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress, and Dota, to consistently release blockbuster SteamVR titles either annually or at least every few years? Is it too much to hope that the one company profiting from PC VR might invest more in its future?
“But that’s not how Valve operates!” one might argue. And you could be correct. Nevertheless, Valve could still support other developers to create fantastic content for SteamVR. Instead of just commissioning a 15-minute demo from Cloudhead Games themed around Portal, why not fund an extensive 15-hour Portal-based game?
“But Valve doesn’t want to artificially inflate the market!” you might counter. In that case, why release Alyx in the first place, and why tease two other major VR titles?
“But Valve is much smaller compared to Meta!” could be another point made. While Valve may not rival Meta’s scale, it is not as insignificant as some might suggest. With an estimated annual revenue of $10 billion, and news of Gabe Newell owning a fleet of luxury yachts, Valve has not been an indie darling for a long time. It is more than capable of investing in VR development.
Half-Life: Alyx presents a unique second chance for the series. While the franchise has been absent for years, Alyx reestablishes its presence with a level of quality that is both polished and essential for VR.
Ultimately, the way Newell allocates his resources is his own decision. However, if there’s a call for increased investment in VR gaming from platform holders, Valve should be at the forefront of that discussion. My passion for Half-Life: Alyx drives my belief that the industry would greatly benefit from seeing more innovative projects from the masterminds behind it.