The Verge Wire · Story 10

Valve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027

Valve is so backlogged on Steam Controller orders that new reservations may not ship until 2027. The company now displays estimated order availability dates, but current reservations are delayed significantly.

The multi-year wait reflects ongoing production or demand challenges for a niche gaming peripheral, raising questions about Valve's ability to scale hardware manufacturing.

Key details

• New Steam Controller reservations placed as of June 2026 show estimated shipping dates in 2027.
• Valve has updated its reservation page to display an estimated ship window for each order.
• The backlog suggests either unexpectedly high demand or constrained production capacity.
• The Steam Controller is a niche gaming accessory that originally launched in 2015.
• Current reservation holders may face a wait of over a year from the time of ordering.

Discussion angles

• The year-long delay raises concerns about whether the Steam Controller is a viable purchase for new customers.
• Valve's addition of estimated ship dates indicates a step toward transparency, but the long wait may still frustrate fans.
• The backlog suggests Valve underestimated demand for the controller's return or is struggling with component supply.
• Some customers may question whether the reservation system is worth using given the extended timeline.