It seems the popularity of the new Steam Controller really did catch Valve off guard, with it selling out a lot faster than expected. I thought it would be popular, but not to the point where it was able to crash the Steam checkout process and have scalpers jump in.
Until you manage to get one - be sure to check out my initial GamingOnLinux overview of how well it works.
We at least have an update direct from Valve on the situation now. As posted on Bluesky, the official Valve account said: "Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it. We’re working on getting more in stock and will have an update on expected timeline soon."
We'll let you know as soon as we know if there's any more info on when they come back in stock properly.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
About the author - Liam Dawe
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. You can follow me personally on Mastodon [External Link].
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8 comments
"update on expected timeline soon" ™
"Steam frame release early 2026" ™
"chocolate won"t make you fat" ™
Lies after lies after lies....
"Steam frame release early 2026" ™
"chocolate won"t make you fat" ™
Lies after lies after lies....
0 Likes
ElectricPrism 2 hours ago
I saw someone claim on X that Valve has 20,000 Steam Machines, considering they sold Millions of Steam Decks, that's going to sell out so fast, it'll be the Steam Controller all over again.
1 Likes
Mountain Man 1 hour ago
People on Reddit lamenting that there's not even the option to give Valve your money upfront, and then they ship as units become available, which would be the sensible way to do it. Instead, it looks like Valve is going to put batches up for sale, and then it's going to be another mad scramble between customers and scalpers until they sell out again.
1 Likes
ElectricPrism 1 hour ago
Valve focusing on scalpers would be a mistake, their goal should be to ramp up supply to meet the demand, not to waste energy going after a small percentage of purchasers doing what they want with their private property.
No matter what measures could be put in place, criminals always find ways around the rules, there's no point in punishing customers who want to eventually own 4+ controllers because someone __COULD__ lawfully resell their private property after they purchase it.
The RF dongle can support 4 controllers, and controllers have always been designed for Living Room TVs with the idea of having 2-4+ players. Limiting purchasing to 1 makes no sense, let the market dicate how many sales they want.
I know it's frustrating, but we also should know that by selling out, Valves hardware is now even more prestegious which will drive sales more, because psychologically people always want what they CAN'T have.
Memory is fuzzy, but this feels like the Steam Deck launch all over again.
No matter what measures could be put in place, criminals always find ways around the rules, there's no point in punishing customers who want to eventually own 4+ controllers because someone __COULD__ lawfully resell their private property after they purchase it.
The RF dongle can support 4 controllers, and controllers have always been designed for Living Room TVs with the idea of having 2-4+ players. Limiting purchasing to 1 makes no sense, let the market dicate how many sales they want.
I know it's frustrating, but we also should know that by selling out, Valves hardware is now even more prestegious which will drive sales more, because psychologically people always want what they CAN'T have.
Memory is fuzzy, but this feels like the Steam Deck launch all over again.
1 Likes
I thought 13 tons was a lot, but doing the math I guess it's not, really... Still a good sign, but they won't have an issue selling anything they make, I feel.
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Caldathras 8 minutes ago
Quoting: ElectricPrismValve focusing on scalpers would be a mistake, their goal should be to ramp up supply to meet the demand, not to waste energy going after a small percentage of purchasers doing what they want with their private property.Does Valve provide any warranty on the Steam Controller? In the past, a manufacturer/retailer got around the scalper issue by simply requiring that the customer provide a receipt of purchase from an authorized reseller. Warranty was not transferable to a secondary owner. Surely, that still applies these days?
No matter what measures could be put in place, criminals always find ways around the rules, there's no point in punishing customers who want to eventually own 4+ controllers because someone __COULD__ lawfully resell their private property after they purchase it.
Of course, whether or not the purchaser cares about the warranty, is a completely different matter...
Last edited by Caldathras on 5 May 2026 at 6:40 pm UTC
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