Valve hints at hardware plans

In a number of job listings on Valve's website, the firm has offered some hints on its future direction. Three of those current listings mention hardware projects--and offer a few details about what the firm might be considering.

The job listing for the electronics engineer role.

Valve is looking for an electronics engineer to join its hardware team, which is creating "whole new gaming experiences," according to the advert. "For years, Valve has been all about writing software that provides great gameplay experiences. Now we're developing hardware to enhance those experiences," the advert states. Valve seems to be working on a wide range of devices, with the duties of the potential hire including to "produce new types of input, output, and platform hardware."

Valve is looking for a firmware coder too. That role will involve writing firmware for "various input and output devices," the firm said. The aim will be for such devices to "let players interact with their games in ways they've never experienced before." Both adverts seek applicants with experience in prototyping new devices.

Finally, the firm is also looking for a psychologist to work in the area. As well as having to "provide relevant insight into human behavior in order to shape gameplay and customer experience," whoever fills the role will have to "research compelling new hardware technologies" to boot.

As recently as March, Valve said that it was a "long way from shipping any sort of hardware" and that the boxes the firm had previously put together were for internal testing only. Valve had not responded to a request for comment on the implications of these new jobs on its hardware plans at press time.