Valve released the new Steam Controller on May 4, 2026, at a retail price of $99 USD. The launch event in North America experienced immediate and severe inventory shortages. Stock levels depleted within 35 minutes of the release time.
The high demand triggered significant technical issues during the checkout process. Many buyers encountered an error message stating they had an error initializing or updating their transaction. This system failure prevented numerous customers from completing their purchases.
Valve acknowledged the shortage on X, stating that the device ran out faster than the company anticipated. The rapid sellout created an immediate secondary market for the hardware. Scalpers quickly listed units on eBay for prices ranging from $200 to $300.
Critics have compared this launch strategy unfavorably to the previous Steam Deck release. The Steam Deck utilized a deposit queue system to mitigate botting and manage demand. The current controller launch lacked similar protective measures, leading to the current chaos.
Valve has promised to provide an update regarding restocks. The company has not yet confirmed a specific date for when additional inventory will become available.
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