Valve launches new OpenVR SDK to expand SteamVR development

Newsbrief: Valve's rollout of VR development tools continues today with the public release of its OpenVR SDK, an updated version of its Steamworks VR API replete with documentation and examples of how to build software that supports SteamVR hardware.

This is good news for VR-minded game makers, though it likely isn't a huge surprise for developers who have been keeping tabs on Valve's VR outreach efforts -- the company recently confirmed official SteamVR support is coming to both Unreal Engine 4 and Unity (via plugin), and Valve is still taking applications from game developers for free HTC Vive VR dev kits.

Those kits include Valve's Lighthouse laser-based positional tracking system, its SteamVR controllers and the HTC Vive VR headset, all of which are documented in the new OpenVR SDK. To see for yourself, head over to Valve's OpenVR Github page.