Valve Updates Players on the Steam Controller Reservations, Offering Estimated Order Windows

The first new hardware addition to the Valve family has dropped, as players all around the world look forward to being able to enjoy the new Steam Controller. While we were promised that throughout 2026, we would be getting all three of the new hardware (the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller), delays regarding the RAMpocalypse caused by AI forced Valve to delay their plans.

It wasn't all smooth sailing, even after the Steam Controller eventually launched in May, as the hardware ran out of stock within minutes, and players around the world were left wanting. In part, this was by mass scalping, which comes as no surprise to anyone. After stock ran out, Valve pulled the sales from the store and re-evaluated the approach, forcing players to have an unlimited Steam account in order to reserve up to two controllers.

That has caused a host of issues, however, as players are looking forward to being able to make their purchases with no success, and it seems that Valve has finally addressed the issues that have arisen from the approach. In a new post, we learned about the Steam Controller reservations and what the team is doing to make communication clearer for those looking forward to getting hands-on with the controller.

Depending on when players were able to make their reservation, they'll be eligible for three estimated order windows that were detailed. Here are the dates we can expect some of the orders to open up:

• September 2026
• December 2026
• 2027

Those who have already reserved a Steam Controller can check out their expected time frame on the official page. This should make it clearer when the controller will be available for purchase. 2027 is a broad window that narrows as we get closer to the date.

If you want to make a reservation, Valve is still accepting them, though all new reservations will fall under the last category until further notice.