Steam Frame could include one of the best VR games ever made for free

Way to sweeten the deal, Valve

(Credit: Valve)

• 🆓 Valve may include Half-Life: Alyx for free with the upcoming Steam Frame headset

• 👀 Backend code suggests a “Frame Alyx Promo,” which may require foveated streaming rather than standalone play

• 🪞 This potential bundle mirrors the previous strategy used for the Valve Index to help offset high hardware costs

• 📅 Recent signs, including accessory listings and ‘Great on Frame’ verified games, suggest an imminent release before September 22

Valve appears to be setting up a system that will give Steam Frame owners a copy of Half-Life: Alyx, widely regarded as one of the best VR games ever made, for free.

A similar offer was included for those who purchased Valve’s previous VR headset, the Valve Index, and could help offset what is likely to be a high price for the Steam Frame.

As spotted by Brad Lynch on X, backend code has surfaced that includes lines such as “Frame Alyx Promo”. Half-Life: Alyx hasn’t been verified for standalone play on Valve’s upcoming headset, and is more likely to work via the new foveated streaming tech.

Brad Lynch@SadlyItsBradley

Valve is setting up the system that gives away of copy of Half-Life Alyx to everyone who purchases a Steam Frame 🤔 (They did the same thing for those who bought a Valve Index)

Brad Lynch @SadlyItsBradley

Wait until people find out that internal branches of Half-Life Alyx were regular updated since early last year (Even though the public app is only just now starting to get those many months of staged updates…)

3:26 AM · Sep 1, 2026 · 41.8K Views

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32 Replies · 58 Reposts · 1.18K Likes

While we’re still waiting for Valve to announce the Steam Frame release date, it could happen after the upcoming Steam VR sale, which runs from September 14 to September 21.

Valve has also promised that Steam Frame would be released before the end of summer, which ends on September 22 in the United States.

It would be a real surprise if September 22 passes without any announcement, and would mean the Steam Frame has suffered an even longer delay than originally anticipated.

However, with several Steam Frame shipments spotted, over 100 ‘Great on Frame’ verified games, and Steam Frame accessories appearing on Amazon, it really feels like we’re getting closer to the Steam Frame finally being released.

Up next: Steam Frame review units have reportedly been sent out as we inch closer to a release date

Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.