HTCs Vive Cosmos Elite headset ships today for customers who pre-ordered; and for those that have there’s something new and unexpected to look forward to inside the box: HTC announced today that all units will ship with Valve’s hotly-anticipated upcoming VR-exclusive Half-Life: Alyx. Vive Cosmos Elite customers will receive a redemption code in-box that will unlock the game when it launches on March 23.

At $899, the PC-tethered Cosmos Elite is HTC’s premier headset, featuring a new six-camera faceplate with external tracking technology in addition to the base model’s two faceplates modular design. Next to Valve’s own Index headset, it’s likely to prove among the most optimal to experience Half-Life: Alyx, a meaty AAA VR shooter that promises to push the boundaries of the platform.

Yves Maître, CEO, HTC said of today’s news:

“Since we introduced Vive, the industry has clamored for a seminal VR title. With Half-Life: Alyx, we believe Valve is delivering the experience and expertise to move VR gameplay forward. Congratulations to the Valve team on the upcoming launch.”



Graham Wheeler, General Manager of EMEA, HTC Vive added:

“Half-Life: Alyx pushes the boundaries of immersive gaming with a breathtaking VR-experience, fraught with danger, thick with tension, battling against the Combine in life-or-death showdowns. I’m excited to see how people will enjoy it on VIVE Cosmos Elite.”

You can watch a bunch of new gameplay video’s showcasing Half-Life: Alyx here.