The Steam Controller officially launched just a few weeks back on May 4, yet—except for scalpers—tracking down a working unit has been a tough task. Because the device is only obtainable directly through Steam, it has produced a major supply constraint for Valve, leading the company to adjust its reservation projections as demand keeps climbing.
Only three days after the Steam Controller first went on sale, Valve rolled out a reservation system designed to line up interested customers in a queue. For weeks, buyers have received notifications whenever the controller is replenished, and then waited until their slot comes up. Valve now admits, though, that interest has exceeded what it anticipated.
In a recent blog post, Valve explained that although the reservation line has helped ease customer worries, the company has concluded it can’t manufacture Steam Controllers quickly enough to keep up with current demand.
“We have no intentions of halting Steam Controller production,” the statement read. “However, as we assess the current demand in comparison to our production capacity by year’s end, we want to set realistic expectations regarding when customers can anticipate receiving their orders.”
As part of that update, the Steam Controller page will now include a schedule showing when players can expect their order confirmation email, based on the timing of their reservation. At the moment, you’ll be shown one of three estimated windows: ‘By September 2026’, ‘By December 2026’, or ‘In 2027’. If you’ve already reserved, the page will now show one of those three order periods.
The downside is that if you haven’t placed a reservation yet, it’s unlikely you’ll receive a controller before the end of this year. Valve says the present estimate for orders submitted today and beyond would probably land in the 2027 window. These estimates will be updated as each target period approaches, which offers a little comfort.
It’s easy to see why the Steam Controller, which costs £85/$99, has struck a chord with so many people. It mirrors the Steam Deck experience, essentially letting you turn any PC into a more console-like setup. It also removes the need for a mouse to move through certain portions of the UI, while still offering a comfortable controller for playing from the couch—solving two problems at once.
In our hands-on review of the Steam Controller, Matt Wales noted that despite its impressive range of ergonomic and feature improvements, it’s still best seen as a niche device. “You probably already know if there’s space in your gaming setup for Valve’s latest creation, and if that’s the case, it’s a solid upgrade,” he said. “However, for others, at £85, it’s unlikely to be the most optimal choice compared to conventional controllers.”