As soon as the Steam Controller is there, it’s gone again.
Valve has finally released the highly anticipated Steam Controller, but many fans aren’t having any of it. Just a few minutes after the launch, the gamepad was already sold out and can no longer be ordered on Steam today (watch on Steam). Now Valve is turning to fans and admitting it underestimated demand.
Valve underestimated the Steam Controller
In a post on BlueSky, the Steam operator explains that the controller sold out faster than expected. People “hate” that not every player could get one. Valve now wants to work on obtaining new inventory and promises an update soon with an estimated schedule.
What’s particularly annoying is that not everyone who gets their hands on a Steam Controller wants to play with it. There are already several offers online from scalpers who now want to resell the controllers for absurd prices.
What’s next for Steam hardware?
Valve has also released CAD files for its external case along with the Steam controller. Hobbyists can use it to modify the controller and receive official information from Valve about what they should leave alone. If you didn’t get hold of a gamepad, you can at least languish over the blueprints now (Source: Steam).
While the Steam Controller has at least been officially released, there is still no trace of the Steam Frame and especially the Steam Machine. Valve still wants to officially release the hardware in the first half of the year, but warns that the price will be higher than previously thought due to the memory crisis.
A lack of RAM could also mean that only a few copies of the Steam Machine are initially available. In this case, the launch will be similar to that of the Steam Controller and many players will come away empty-handed. If Valve waives pre-orders again, you will have to be very quick for the release.