Full Breakdown
Valve’s Steam Controller Reservations Stretch Into 2027 Amid Record Demand
6/20/2026, 12:06:42 AM
Extended Wait Times for the Steam Controller
Valve released the second-generation Steam Controller on 4 May 2024 at $99/£85. Within days the product sold out, prompting the company to introduce a reservation queue. In a June update the Steam store now displays three estimated shipping windows for all reservations: “By September 2026,” “By December 2026,” or “In 2027.” New reservations placed after the update are assigned to the 2027 window, meaning most prospective buyers will not receive a unit for at least three years.
Background and Context
The controller is marketed as a bridge between PC gaming and the Steam Deck experience, offering dual trackpads, gyro aiming, and a “charging puck.” Its price and unique input scheme make it attractive to living-room PC players, but also a niche product for casual gamers. Because the device can be purchased only through Steam, scalpers quickly bought remaining stock and resold it at premiums, forcing Valve to funnel all demand through a single reservation system.
Timeline
- 4 May 2024: Steam Controller launches.
- 7 May 2024: Valve adds a reservation queue after the initial stock sells out.
- Mid-May 2024: Users report website glitches and rapid resale on secondary markets.
- June 2024: Valve publishes a blog post announcing the three-window estimate and reiterates that reservations will be emailed a 72-hour purchase link when stock becomes available.
Data & Statistics
- Retail price: $99 (US), £85 (UK), €99 (EU).
- Reservation windows: Sep 2026, Dec 2026, or any time in 2027.
- All reservations placed after the June update fall into the 2027 bracket.
- Buyers have a 72-hour window to complete the purchase once notified.
Official Statements & Responses
Valve’s blog post emphasizes that production will continue and that the new windows are intended to “manage expectations” given the gap between current demand and the number of units the company can manufacture by year-end. The company also notes that existing reservations will be prioritized for the earlier windows, while new reservations will be placed later in the queue. Valve stresses that the estimates will be refined as each shipping date approaches.
Criticism & Opposition
Eurogamer’s Matt Wales argues that the controller’s £85 price “makes it unlikely to be the best choice compared to traditional controllers” for most gamers, suggesting the reservation system may filter out casual interest. Scalpers and secondary-market mark-ups have also drawn consumer ire, as early stock vanished almost instantly.
On-the-Ground Reports
A U.S. colleague who joined the queue today received a 2027 estimate; a counterpart in Australia reported the same. Users note that the reservation process is free but requires vigilance, as the purchase link expires after 72 hours, potentially dropping them back to the end of the line.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Valve has not disclosed how reservation windows are allocated by region, leaving uncertainty about whether some users with older reservations might still face 2027 delays. The exact month in 2027 for the final batch remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have no plans to stop making Steam Controllers.” — Valve
- “When we launched Steam Controller last month, we quickly saw that initial demand exceeded our expectations,” — Valve
- “Switching to a reservation queue has (hopefully) cut down on the headaches on the customer side, and for us it’s also been helpful as we plan ahead and try to get as many out as quickly as we are able.” — Valve
- “The current estimation for orders placed today forward indicate a 2027 date for shipping,” — Valve
- “When a buyer's place in the queue comes up, Valve emails an option to purchase, and the buyer has 72 hours to complete the order.” — Valve
What’s Next
Valve promises tighter windows as each date approaches and hints that the same reservation model may be applied to upcoming hardware such as the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Observers will watch whether supply-chain improvements or component price stabilization can accelerate the 2026 deliveries and reduce the 2027 backlog.
