Valve’s Commitment to VR Compatibility
The recent update to the SteamVR Beta introduces an automatic installation of the third-party ‘Oasis’ driver, a significant development for users of Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets. This enhancement comes in response to Microsoft’s decision to discontinue support for WMR headsets in the latest iterations of Windows 11, effectively rendering these devices incompatible with both SteamVR and the operating system itself.
For years, Valve has been dedicated to broadening the accessibility of its SteamVR platform, striving to accommodate a diverse array of VR headsets from manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Samsung. However, the recent changes from Microsoft posed a challenge for WMR users, particularly those operating on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and beyond, who found their headsets rendered inoperative.
With the introduction of the Oasis Driver for Windows Mixed Reality, users can once again enjoy compatibility with SteamVR without the need for the now-unavailable Mixed Reality Portal application. It is important to note, however, that the Oasis driver currently supports only NVIDIA GPUs, as there has been insufficient developer support from AMD.
In a proactive move, Valve has integrated the Oasis driver into the latest SteamVR Beta (v2.13.1), ensuring that users with WMR headsets on unsupported versions of Windows 11 can seamlessly access the platform. For those interested in exploring this update, detailed instructions for installing the SteamVR Beta are readily available.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Valve to enhance user experience and maintain compatibility across various VR devices. Notable efforts include making the acclaimed VR title, Half-Life: Alyx, compatible with all SteamVR-supported headsets and launching the Steam Link app on Quest, facilitating wireless SteamVR gameplay.
