All articles tagged with #steam controller
Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida’s hands-on take on Valve’s Steam Machine is mixed: he praises its console-like feel, compact size, quiet operation, and UI, but criticizes 3D performance as meh, long boot times, and a steep near-$750 price that’s hard to recommend beyond research—yet he notes it enables living-room Steam gaming and Valve’s ongoing Steam Frame VR plans.
Valve has priced the Steam Machine at $1,049 and will begin selling on June 29, with a lottery-based reservation to determine purchase order. Four configurations are offered (512GB models and 2TB models, with or without a bundled Steam Controller). The 2TB variants include two swappable faceplates. Valve says it's selling the machine for the cost of its components, despite it being pricier than consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. While performance is roughly PS5-equivalent, the Steam Machine's real value is access to Steam's library and Linux customization, and buyers can register their interest via a reservations system. First purchase emails go out June 29; the queue will be randomized on Thursday to ensure fairness.
Valve has rolled out a three-window reservation timeline for Steam Controller orders: estimates arrive by September 2026, December 2026, or in 2027. New orders will likely land in the 2027 window, and once you receive the reservation email you have 72 hours to complete the purchase before Valve moves on to the next person. The change aims to manage expectations amid strong demand, and Valve says it has no plans to stop making the Steam Controller; the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are also set to go on sale this summer.
Valve says Steam Controller demand outpaced production, with new orders not expected to ship until 2027. Current estimates show existing orders might be fulfilled in September 2026 or December 2026, and new orders could arrive in 2027; customers should check Steam’s order page for updates. The controller is Steam-exclusive, as Valve also pushes other hardware like Steam Machine and Steam Frame this summer.
Valve says demand for the Steam Controller exceeded expectations after its May launch, creating long reservation queues and warning that new orders may not ship until 2027 at the earliest, with timing windows hinted for September 2026, December 2026, or 2027 as the company scales production and plans possible Steam Machine bundles.
Valve says demand for the Steam Controller has exceeded expectations, prompting an updated reservation system that now shows three possible delivery windows: By September 2026, By December 2026, or In 2027. Existing reservations will see one of these windows, while new orders are unlikely to arrive this year and are forecast to reach customers in 2027. Valve reiterates it will continue producing the controller, which aims to mimic a Steam Deck-like PC-to-TV experience, despite being a niche product.
Valve now shows three possible Steam Controller shipping estimates for reservations—September 2026, December 2026, or sometime in 2027—with current reservations indicating a 2027 ship date. The company says it will continue producing the controller but is managing expectations due to demand and manufacturing limits, following a move to a reservation queue to reduce checkout problems.
Valve appears close to launching the Steam Machine after Welcome Tour assets were added to Steam’s backend, suggesting final production readiness and a rollout approach similar to the Steam Controller. The rollout could include four SKUs (512GB, 2TB, and two bundles with a Steam Controller).
A May 20 update to HID Remapper adds full Steam Controller support, enabling inputs to work outside Steam on Windows and Linux and making the controller compatible with Nintendo Switch, Android devices, and Xbox Series consoles. All inputs—including trackpads, touch sensors, and accelerometer/gyro—are usable, and there are DIY converter files plus inexpensive pre-built options (as low as about $17.50), though you may need to flash firmware or assemble an enclosure.
A Steam Controller owner reported that the puck’s exposed metal connectors touched a metal watch band, causing sparking and nearly starting a fire. Valve warns in the manual that magnetic parts can attract metal and cause sparks, and is arranging a replacement puck for affected units. The incident highlights the hazard posed by exposed charging pins and advises keeping the puck away from metal or magnetically sensitive objects.
A Reddit post describes the exposed contacts on Valve’s Steam Controller Charging Puck remaining live and shorting with a Pixel Watch 4 wearing a third‑party strap, leaving scorch marks. Valve’s Steam Hardware team has reached out to offer a replacement puck and to inspect the charger and watch. No injuries occurred and neither device stopped working. Meanwhile, users are advised to keep the puck away from other chargers and handle it carefully while plugged in, with ongoing questions about whether the issue could have been caught before launch.
Reddit-disseminated secret: Valve’s Steam Controller will occasionally emit the Wilhelm Scream via its haptic motors when dropped, even if it isn’t paired to a PC. The effect is randomized and not tied to drop strength, as confirmed by a weeks-long test. It’s a surprising, charming Easter egg on the $99 device that adds a fun, audible quirk to an otherwise standard controller.
The Steam Controller has a hidden easter egg: if you drop the controller while in Steam Big Picture mode, it will emit a Wilhelm scream through its built-in haptic motors rather than your PC speakers. The trigger sequence is to enter Big Picture mode, turn the controller off, turn it on, and then drop it onto a soft surface. Valve notes the controller is robust but advises against repeated drops to avoid potential damage.
Valve's new Steam Controller reportedly emits the Wilhelm scream when dropped from a height while in Big Picture mode, an Easter egg that appears to reliably trigger from about three feet onto a floor or couch. The find comes as early stock sold out and Valve said more would be available soon. The piece also notes the controller is an improved model, though its thumbstick layout may feel niche for some users.
Valve's Steam Controller 2026 hides a playful Easter Egg: if dropped from a certain height, it can emit the Wilhelm scream, a meme sound. Reported on Reddit and corroborated by Peeved Controller Gamer, the effect doesn't fire every time and seems to have a cooldown between drops. The quirk recalls early Steam Controller quirks (e.g., modded units making noise) and is presented as light hardware humor rather than a functional feature.