Half-Life: Alyx, the VR game Valve is calling the next chapter in theHalf-Lifeuniverse, is already stirring up excitement. While there are absolutely huge questions to be asked, like how many PC gamers are capable of running a VR headset and how many of those can afford one, there’s no question thatHalf-Life: Alyxis already driving demand. For evidence, take for example Valve’s Steam listings for its Valve Index VR headset and their apparent shortages.
Valve is selling several different bundles for itsValve Index VR hardwareandHalf-Life: Alyx. Bundles include the base Valve Index headset andHalf-Life: Alyxfor $499, just the Valve Index controllers withHalf-Life: Alyxfor $279, both the Valve Index headset and controllers withHalf-Life: Alyxfor $749, and finally the full Valve Index VR Kit. The full kit includes the Valve Index VR headset, controllers, two base stations, andHalf-Life: Alyxfor $999. All of these bundles are now sold out in the USA.
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The three bundles not including the full Valve Index VR Kit are now listed as “Back in Stock Soon” on Steam, which is the only place to buy the VR hardware direct. The Valve Index VR Kit, the $999 full bundle, remains available to pre-order.Valve’s only promise regarding shipping at the moment is that buyers can expect delivery of the Valve Index VR Kit prior to December 25, Christmas.
The Valve Index, for those unfamiliar, released in late June earlier this year. It has been in-stock since, so clearly Valve had as many units available as it believed were necessary to coincide with the announcement ofHalf-Life: Alyx. It seems that Valve’s predictions were perhaps off and that it might have underestimated just how excited fans would be for thenext chapter ofHalf-Life.
Such excitement for VR has been rare over the past several years. The launch of the original Oculus Rift VR headset, followed by its later release of theRift Touch motion controllers, but led to major shortages. The HTC Vive headset was also quite popular when it launched. Since then, VR has leaned more toward less hardware intensive, cell phone, or wireless headsets. All of which great VR’s base of users, but didn’t necessarily give the VR industry the push it needs to reach that next level. MaybeHalf-Life: Alyxwill do it instead.
