The release of the Steam Deck is drawing closer: The studio behind *Gunman Contracts* has confirmed in an FAQ on its Discord server that it plans to release its game alongside Valve’s new VR headset. The launch is “imminent,” but Valve still hasn’t provided a specific date. However, the evidence is mounting: FCC approval, devices already shipped in the U.S., and a growing game category on the Steam Store all clearly point to a launch in the coming weeks.
What the developer of Gunman Contracts revealed
In a community FAQ about its upcoming first-person shooter Gunman Contracts, the development team wrote that it plans to release the game “alongside the Steam Frame” because the headset’s launch is “imminent.” The statement doesn’t provide specific numbers or a date, but it’s noteworthy: a studio is aligning its own release schedule with that of a hardware product that doesn’t yet have an official release date. This suggests that at least select Valve partners already know a more precise timeframe than the general public.
Further indications of the approaching launch
The developer’s Discord post isn’t the only clue. In recent weeks, there have been increasing signs that Valve is making final preparations for the Steam Frame:
- On July 29, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted approval to the device with the ID 2AES4-1015. Without this document, the headset cannot be sold in the U.S. at all.
- According to reports, around 35 metric tons of VR hardware are said to have cleared U.S. customs as early as June. The developer of Gunman Contracts also mentions 22 shipments of Steam Frame devices that he received to build up inventory.
- Valve introduced the “Great on Frame” badge in the Steam Store for games optimized for the new headset. It launched on July 13 with five titles and grew to around 65 games by August 10, as we previously described in our article on the store preparations.
- The Steam Machine, Valve’s living-room console announced at the same time, has been shipping since June 30. The Steam Frame is the final piece of Valve’s hardware lineup for this year.
Officially, Valve has so far only confirmed “Summer 2026” as a timeframe, without specifying a specific date. Summer ends on September 22 according to the calendar. This leaves Valve with about six weeks to meet this self-imposed goal.
Steam Frame Technical Specifications at a Glance
Most of the headset’s specifications have been known since Valve officially unveiled the device. Here are the key details:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Displays | 2× LCD, 2160 × 2160 pixels each |
| Refresh rate | 72–120 Hz (experimentally up to 144 Hz) |
| Field of View | approx. 110° horizontal × 110° vertical |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Adreno 750 graphics |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256 GB or 1 TB (UFS) plus microSD slot |
| Tracking | 4 fisheye cameras (inside-out) plus eye tracking |
| Controller | Steam Frame controllers, each with 18 IR LEDs and TMR thumbsticks |
| Weight | 185 g (visor) / 440 g (entire system with headband and battery) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 plus a separate 6 GHz Wi-Fi 6E adapter; wireless PC adapter included |
| Operating System | SteamOS with Proton compatibility for Windows and Android apps |
PC gamers will likely find the streaming feature particularly interesting: Using the included wireless adapter, you can stream your entire Steam library from your own computer to the headset, supported by foveated streaming via eye tracking. Anyone who has already used SteamOS on the Steam Deck will quickly find their way around the Frame, as Valve consistently relies on the same software foundation.
Price: What We Know So Far
An official price has not yet been announced. Originally, Valve intended for the Steam Frame to be priced below the 999 euros of its predecessor, the Valve Index. Following a leak from insider Tyler McVicker—which we’ve already covered in a separate article—that seems unlikely to happen: He expects a starting price of over 1,100 but under 1,500 euros or dollars. The ongoing shortage of memory chips and a double-digit price increase announced by Qualcomm for the built-in Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are considered the main factors driving up the price.
Conclusion
A single Discord post from an indie studio wouldn’t be big news on its own. But when viewed in the context of FCC approval, shipments to the U.S., and the growing “Great on Frame” category, a coherent picture emerges: The Steam Frame is on the verge of launching. Whether Valve will still meet its self-imposed “Summer 2026” target or if the launch will be pushed back to early fall should become clear in the coming weeks. We’ll keep you updated as soon as Valve announces an official date.
