Friday, May 23, 2025

Valve has rolled out SteamVR 2.10 as the latest stable update, introducing a handful of new features and fixes aimed at enhancing the virtual reality experience—particularly for Linux users.

Key updates in SteamVR 2.10 include:

System-Wide Improvements:

  • A new quick recenter function is now available via a long press of the system button, streamlining realignment across VR apps.
  • Automatic performance throttling has been improved, significantly reducing controller and physics jitter caused by performance fluctuations.

OpenXR Enhancements:

  • Improved handling of non-pipelined applications, which cuts down on controller jitter in Unity-based OpenXR titles.

Linux-Specific Fixes:

  • Resolved the issue causing an empty black window when launching SteamVR on Linux.
  • Window icons have been added to SteamVR interfaces for a more polished desktop experience.

Developer-Focused Changes:

  • Removal of legacy 32-bit executables, including vrmonitor, vrstartup, restarthelper, and overlay_viewer.
  • The overlay_viewer tool now supports improved pan, zoom, and resize capabilities, along with several other UI enhancements.
  • Performance optimization added to IVRChaperone()->GetBoundsColor().
  • Introduction of a new lens calibration model: DISTORT_POLY3_TANGENT_SCALED.

The update reflects Valve’s ongoing commitment to refining SteamVR, even on platforms like Linux where support has historically lagged behind. These improvements may also hint at preparations for future hardware developments—particularly the rumored standalone “Deckard” headset, which may run Linux in standalone mode.

With Valve investing in stability and performance across the board, including better Linux support, the VR ecosystem continues to edge closer to a more accessible and refined user experience.