The SteamVR Home Beta, the platform’s social VR hub system, recently received a significant upgrade, adding several improved customisation options, including ‘Trophies’ and the ability to decorate your space with screenshots or artwork. A new ‘Boxing Ring’ home environment is also available, with a number of interactive challenges.

Detailed in a post on the SteamVR news feed, the beta (available to all who want to opt in via the SteamVR Properties panel) is now offering many more ways to personalise your space. The beta has also been upgraded with Steam Audio, enabling more realistic spatial audio through HRTFs.

‘Trophies’ can be placed anywhere in your space, a physical way of displaying your game achievements which change appearance based on your accomplishments. They can also act as a neat shortcut to launch quickly into a particular title.

The Things menu now contains ‘Screenshots’ and ‘Artwork’ options which can be used to decorate the walls; any uploaded image will work, but it needs to be set to publicly viewable. Any environment can be made into a home space now that the main SteamVR Panels can also be found in the Things menu and placed anywhere, allowing players to build a space with quick access to friends, games, and more.

Valve is encouraging users to create more environments, with the new ‘Boxing Ring’ serving as a compelling example of a new home space, with mini-games included. New tutorials are available for the creatively-minded, explaining the basics of how to construct a custom environment, with more detailed tutorials to come.

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The trial version of Microsoft’s Monster Truck Madness probably had something to do with it. And certainly the original Super Mario Kart and Gran Turismo. A car nut from an early age, Dominic was always drawn to racing games above all other genres. Now a seasoned driving simulation enthusiast, and former editor of Sim Racer magazine, Dominic has followed virtual reality developments with keen interest, as cockpit-based simulation is a perfect match for the technology. Conditions could hardly be more ideal, a scientist once said. Writing about simulators lead him to Road to VR, whose broad coverage of the industry revealed the bigger picture and limitless potential of the medium. Passionate about technology and a lifelong PC gamer, Dominic suffers from the ‘tweak for days’ PC gaming condition, where he plays the same section over and over at every possible combination of visual settings to find the right balance between fidelity and performance. Based within The Fens of Lincolnshire (it’s very flat), Dominic can sometimes be found marvelling at the real world’s ‘draw distance’, wishing virtual technologies would catch up.
  • PJ

    Steam VR is alright, but I prefer the basic and functional Oculus Home. I do however like using both

    • Get Schwifty!

      I’d say Oculus is clearly more efficient… Steam VR is just a bit more fun to work in.

  • Joe Black

    I sometimes think that we’ll discover what people really enjoy in a living space in VR. I mean so much of what is considered a desirable house, or a car is determined by what you think other people will admire. The Jones effect. In VR you can do whatever you want and enjoy.

  • Ted Joseph

    I think this is a good idea! Having a home that you can setup your trophies, achievements, pictures (hopefully they allow personal pics), music (streamed from your hard drive), quick game access, etc. Would be awesome! I have the RIFT, but after I get my new office (larger) setup, I will be able to get steam as well. Cant wait. Now I just need a 200 deg FOV PIMAX!!!

  • NooYawker

    I haven’t been using SteamVR Home because I prefer just to get to my games, but this update is definitely interesting and fun.