SteamVR 2.5 released with multiple Linux fixes

After a couple of Beta releases, Valve has now launched the latest stable release of SteamVR which brings in the recent Linux improvements.

I’ve covered the Beta changes across a couple of articles so it’s nice to see them rolled out for everyone now. This release focuses on bug fixes, quality of life improvements across SteamVR as a whole, Steam Link and Linux. Valve also released an updated version of Steam Link for Meta Quest devices. Hopefully at some point soon we might see Linux support for that too.

All the changes are:

SteamVR:

• Fixed a bug where compatibility mode would fail for certain controller / HMD combinations and legacy input titles.
• This release has an experimental feature allowing overlays to use controller simulation in bindings.
• Disabled AMD Wireless VR driver by default. You can reenable it under startup/shutdown manage addons. This is a wireless driver installed by the AMD GPU driver that can interfere with some new, asynchronous paths in SteamVR.
• Detect when AMD drivers were installed, but no AMD card is present, preventing “Error 309” and other crashes when loading LiquidVR.
• Fixed some localization issues in the binding UI.
• Fixing missing haptic component in some vive tracker profiles.
• Fixing some scenarios where the menu button didn’t work on HTC wrist trackers.
• Add ability for Vive tracker haptic pogo pins to be bound.

Steam Link:

Steam VR 2.5 release corresponds to Steam Link client version 2.0.8.748

• Improved prediction for increased lateral tracking stability.
• Fix initialization issue causing connection failure. Requires client and server to both be updated.
• Fix issue causing persistent failure when headset goes into standby and returns.
• Fix deadlock on host when USB devices are inserted or removed.
• Resolved two client crashes.
• Fix an issue with video encoder initialization on certain AMD integrated GPUs.

OpenXR:

• Fix Vive tracker menu pogo pin not being mapped correctly for OpenXR apps.

Linux:

• Add support for direct mode drivers (IVRDriverDirectModeComponent) on Linux.
• Improved launch scripts and log capture for bug reports.
• Fixed random colors appearing at the periphery of the right eye’s viewable area.
• Fixed SteamVR Home launch script.
• Fixed an SDL compatibility problem on Fedora.

I’ll have to jump back into some VR soon on my Index and see how it runs on Kubuntu 24.04 now.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.