Steam Controller
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Controller across the outlets.
Steam Controller orders immediately break Valve's servers, $200 scalper listings appear after it sells out in under…Valve's servers crashed immediately upon the release of the Steam Controller due to overwhelming demand, causing the device to sell out quickly. Scalpers have already listed the controller for over $200 on secondary markets. The article also mentions the author's personal gaming preferences and background.- And it’s gone: Steam Controller sold out within an hour amid all sorts of server issuesThe Steam Controller sold out within approximately 45 minutes of its release due to high demand and significant server issues on the Steam platform. Many users experienced transaction errors, preventing them from completing purchases. Valve has not yet announced a restock date for the controller, which is designed to work with the upcoming Steam Machine.
I love everything about Valve's Steam Controller except this one major flawThe Steam Controller offers a comfortable and lag-free experience with excellent battery life, but its customization software is deeply unintuitive and difficult to use. Users face significant hurdles in assigning button actions and configuring layouts, with many solutions requiring workarounds found on forums rather than official documentation. Valve needs to improve the accessibility of its customization options to unlock the controller's full potential.
Valve wants to price Steam Machine as competitively as possible, but fears RAM shortages are "unavoidable" and…Valve is striving to price the upcoming Steam Machine competitively despite facing unavoidable RAM shortages due to high demand from AI data centers. Hardware designer Lawrence Yang acknowledged that external factors have already increased the price of the Steam Controller and will continue to challenge affordable pricing for the Steam Machine.
Steam Deck restocks or a pile of Steam Frames and Machines? Either way, Valve's been importing a whole heap of…Valve's warehouses in the USA have reportedly received a large number of 'game consoles,' sparking speculation about restocks of the Steam Deck. Other possibilities include shipments of Steam Machines or Steam VR headsets, which were announced alongside the Steam Controller but have not yet been widely released. The article suggests that these shipments indicate Valve is preparing to make more hardware available to consumers.
The Steam Controller is all the rage, but I've been distracted by a modern Dreamcast controller that's more…This article analyzes the evolution of game controllers, drawing parallels between the original Dreamcast controller and Valve's Steam Controller. It highlights how modern designs, like the Retro Fighters StrikerDC for the Dreamcast, reflect historical trends in gamepad development, influencing current console and PC controller layouts.- Control IssuesValve acknowledges a lack of PC-first gamepads and sees an opportunity with their new Steam Controller. The article discusses the potential market for such peripherals.
Why aren’t there more PC-first gamepads? Valve don’t know, but they "did see an opportunity" for the new Steam ControllerValve designers Lawrence Yang and Steve Cardinali discuss the lack of PC-first gamepads, noting an opportunity for their new Steam Controller. While acknowledging the dominance of console controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller and PlayStation 5 DualSense, they believe there's a market for a controller specifically designed for PC gaming, offering features beyond 'good enough'.
dbrand of course already have Steam Controller skinsAccessory maker dbrand has announced 44 different skins for the upcoming Steam Controller, available for purchase ahead of its public release. The skins range in price from $17.95 to $24.95, offering users a variety of customization options for the new PC gaming peripheral.- Hardware ReviewsThis article compiles reviews for various PC hardware components, including the Cooler Master Elite Liquid 360 Liquid CPU Cooler and the Steam Controller. It also mentions reviews for graphics cards, specifically the Sapphire NITRO+.
'We've never met a cult we didn't want to be a part of, so we're getting in on the ground floor': Dbrand announces skins for the new Steam Controller in the most Dbrand wayAccessory company Dbrand has announced a range of 44 skins for the newly released Steam Controller, which is available for $99. The company stated they are joining the 'cult classic' product's ground floor. Dbrand's skins are scratch-proof, easy to remove, and range in price from $12 to $25. The article also briefly mentions Valve's re-commitment to a 2026 release window for the Steam Machine.
Our Steam Controller second opinion: what works, what doesn't, and what Valve should add for the next oneThis second opinion piece offers a detailed look at Valve's Steam Controller, with reviewers James and Julian sharing their experiences. While acknowledging some minor technical hiccups and wishing for better non-Steam launcher integration, both find the controller comfortable, functional, and a strong contender for PC gaming, even suggesting it could be Valve's most impactful hardware release.
The Steam Controller doesn't appear to be a hit for competitive play, so here are the alternatives I'd…The Steam Controller is not ideal for competitive play due to its polling rate and button design, prompting a look at alternatives. Controllers like the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited and GameSir G7 Pro offer microswitch buttons, while the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K and Victrix Pro BFG provide faster polling rates and customization options for serious gamers.
As the Steam Controller breaks cover, Valve say they're hard at work on the Steam Deck 2 and keeping current Decks in stockValve has confirmed that development is underway for the Steam Deck 2, with learnings from current hardware projects like the Steam Controller informing its design. The company is also actively working to address stock shortages for the current Steam Deck models by diversifying manufacturers and navigating global component availability issues.
"We're just as impacted as everyone else": Valve explain Steam Machine delays and why the Steam Controller is coming out soonerValve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang discussed delays for the Steam Machine, attributing them to industry-wide component shortages and rising costs. The Steam Controller, less affected by these issues, is set for release on May 4th as it is ready, dispelling rumors of intentional delays.
Steam Controller release date revealed as Steam Machine price increasesValve has announced the release date for the Steam Controller as May 4th, priced at £85, and confirmed that the Steam Machine's release has been impacted by memory shortages, shifting its window to the first half of 2026. Hardware engineer Steve Cardinali explained that the controller's release was prioritized over the Steam Machine due to development unaffected by shortages. Pricing for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame remains unconfirmed, though they are expected to be more expensive than initially planned.- YouTube is testing an AI search mode that 'feels more like a conversation'YouTube is testing a new AI-powered search feature called "Ask YouTube" for Premium subscribers in the US. This experimental mode allows users to ask complex questions and receive comprehensive results combining video and text, with the ability to ask follow-up questions. The feature aims to provide a more conversational search experience, though early tests indicate potential for inaccuracies, similar to other AI search implementations.
When Is The Steam Deck 2 Coming Out? Not Until Valve Is Satisfied That It's Better Than The OriginalValve is actively developing a successor to the Steam Deck, but a release date will not be announced until the company is confident it offers a significant upgrade over the original. Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company is focused on meaningful performance and feature improvements rather than incremental gains. The original Steam Deck launched in 2022, followed by an OLED model in late 2023.- Steam Controller Review: Feels good, manShacknews has reviewed Valve's Steam Controller, evaluating whether the $99 peripheral justifies its price tag. The review focuses on the tactile feel and overall user experience of the controller on PC.
- Steam Controller ReviewsReviews for Valve's new Steam Controller have been released following its announcement. Publications like Ars Technica have published their findings on the innovative input device, which aims to provide a gamepad-like experience on PC.