Valve’s Steam VR compatibility test, which will inform PC owners whether their current computing hardware is ready for the HTC Vive Pre features more than the odd surprise.
As discovered by ValveTime (via Gizmodo), the two-minute test features demos and artifacts from hit franchises buried within the code.
There’s a version of the Aperture Robot Repair demo (below), featuring assets from Half Life 2 and Portal 2, albeit with no interactivity and fixed camera angles.
The code features the usual strings for “L4D3”, “HL3”,but that’s not uncommon and offers little further indication new games are in the works.
However, there is a model of the character D0g, which is of higher quality to that shown in Half-Life 2. ValveTime speculates: “It’s not clear if this D0g model was or is intended to feature in Half-Life 3 or any future Valve product, but we also wouldn’t be surprise if it were the case.”
There are also high quality new assets from the Left For Dead series, which may signal a third version of the franchise. These new ‘textures’ are thought to belong to a previously leaked character called ‘Retired Engineer.’ There’s also a Left 4 Dead test map featured within the performance test.
You can hop on over to ValveTime or SteamDB for the full skinny on what’s been unearthed within the performance test.
It is designed to user’s a guide to whether their computer’s individual components meet the needs for handling VR using a Vive Pre.
The news comes after Valve and HTC revealed the tech specs and price for the Vive Pre. It’ll start at $799 and will go on sale on April 1. Pre-orders commence on February 29.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.