While Sony and Oculus VR's entries to the virtual reality headsets won't arrive until next year, it looks like the HTC Vive VR will beat both of them with a probable release date in November later this year.
Earlier this year in March, Reddit user SeniorBaker spotted what appeared to be confirmation that the HTC Vive is slated for a November launch on the official Steam Machines page. The Steam Controller and Steam Link streaming device can be seen in the image along with the VR headset.
"It's important to note that both of the other devices have dedicated pages that confirm the November 2015 date while the Vive itself has no such page at this point in time," VR Focus wrote. "It's inclusion in the picture may just be for the sake of generalization, then."
So far, the HTC Vive VR headset has no exact release date. Only a holiday 2015 launch window is known at this point.
But while the consumer version won't be seen until later this year, development kits have already started shipping last week.
Among the first to receive the Vive Developer Editions are major movie studios, indie and triple A developers, according to Valve. Additional units will roll out through the spring and summer.
"The Developer Edition includes the headset, a pair of Steam VR controllers, two Lighthouse base stations and all the cables you need," TechnoBuffalo wrote.
The inclusions "will allow developers to target the same system consumers will have in their homes later this year," Valve said.
Not a developer but want to stay up to date with the latest developments on the Vive? Valve says you can follow by reading through updates posted in the Steam VR Hardware Group forum.
Just like its release date, pricing for the HTC Vive VR consumer version has not been officially announced.
