The HTC Vive virtual reality headset was one of the first modern cutting-edge headsets on the market. It launched alongside the Oculus Rift, both of which remain some of the most impressive virtual reality hardware available today. HTC has since iterated on the Vive multiple times, releasing the Vive Pro, the Vive Pro Eye, and more recently the HTC Vive Cosmos. But HTC isn't done yet. HTC appears to be teasing an upcoming announcement regarding yet another VR headset.
The official HTC Vive Twitter account, which is entirely dedicated to virtual reality products, dropped a new teaser this past Thursday. There's little within the teaser to base any assumptions on. However, the image does feature the triangular Vive logo, implying new virtual reality hardware. Otherwise, it's just a matte black material being shown. The words accompanying the teaser read "It's your move," which reveals more about the teaser than the image itself.
PC gamers' first reaction to the teaser might be that HTC is teasing its next big headset. "It's your move," could imply a challenge, meaning that HTC Vive has upped its game. The Vive Cosmos was released in late 2019, with the Vive Cosmos Elite arriving almost a year ago. HTC may be teasing what could be the Vive 2 or an equivalent step forward in high-end PC virtual reality hardware. The recent success of Valve's Index headset shows just how lucrative this market remains.
Alternatively, virtual reality fans may recall HTC revealing a new line of headsets named the HTC Project Proton in early 2020. These lightweight headsets came in two separate form factors. The first had its own processing unit and looked like it could be wireless, an all-in-one VR setup. The second had a wire, but no processing equipment, making it more suitable for mobile devices or even a PC. The implication being that these are HTC's latest options for the growing lower-end VR market. In other words, "It's your move," is meant to imply movement.
HTC hasn't revealed any further details about its plans for Project Proton since early 2020. And it's merely an assumption that Project Proton is what HTC is teasing now. It could be another HTC project that it's teasing. Hopefully, HTC will provide further information in the days or weeks ahead.
If the teaser is indeed for HTC's Project Proton, then the company has its work cut out for itself. The mobile VR market and all-in-one VR market are growing in competitiveness. The Oculus Quest 2, in particular, has proven to be a striking success. But there are competitors from GenBasic, Lenovo, Pico, Xiaomi, Samsung, and maybe even Apple, too. It'll be exciting to find out what HTC is bringing to the table.