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[Valve] Steam Controller: Reservations open May 8th

Topher

Topher

Identifies as young
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store.steampowered.com

Steam Hardware - Steam Controller: Reservations open May 8th - Steam News

How to reserve yours, and what we're doing to mitigate the challenges from earlier in the week
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Valve is simply being cautious.

They prefer to have people waiting to manufacture gamepads that will just sit there.

Ultimately, it's a niche product.
 
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I hope this becomes a standard procedure for all hardware sold on Steam going forward. Limiting purchases to one unit per account, requiring good standing with Steam, and having prior purchases should also apply to non-queue orders at launch.
 
I was so miffed at the experience I removed all the hardware from my wishlist. If I couldn't get a simple controller, I don't think there would be any hope for the frame or the machine.
I'll give em a second chance and try this preorder thing.
 
There's people on eBay with 5+ controllers. We have software that exists to flip products and works faster than anyone can. I'm not playing these games, I'll get it when I can just add to my cart.
 
DarkShadowXI said:
I'm expecting it lol

I hope they use this system for Steam Machine (if it works)
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I think it's what they did for the Deck. They must have thought that it was overkill to do the same for a controller under a $100. Looks like this system will be the way going forward.

Unless they really needed to clear the warehouse right away for another shipment and just let all hell break loose. Valve won anyway if they really sold 32000 controllers at a hundred a piece in under 30 minutes. Plus, additional fomo!!!
 
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By the way Topher Topher , thanks for the heads up!

I wouldn't have known about this otherwise and would've probably missed it again.

When I saw chatter on the forum on the 4th, I arrived late to the launch and had two in my cart (one for the living room and the other for the bedroom). They sold out when I was briefly reading a review. Felt like a gut punch lol
 
Puscifer said:
There's people on eBay with 5+ controllers. We have software that exists to flip products and works faster than anyone can. I'm not playing these games, I'll get it when I can just add to my cart.
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Their anti-scalper system is horrible. At one point I was able to get through to actually complete the order and then the system said it noticed I had been "attempting" to order multiple times and wouldn't allow it. Yeah.....no shit, Valve. Keyword: "attempting". Actually bought: none.

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Not Valve's finest hour
 
CrustyBritches said:
Should have just gone with this in the first place. They didn't expect it to sell out, or what?
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I wonder if the pre reviews being middling has something to do with it and Valve was genuinely caught by suprise? No one came out and said the controller was the second coming. Even the more hardcore/linux/Steam youtubers were quick to point out its faults. The controller may be good, but it has not batted a 1000 it seems. Guess we will have to wait for Steam Controller 3 or a third party to pick up the slack of the 2.
 
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Sorcerer said:
I wonder if the pre reviews being middling has something to do with it? No one came out and said the controller was the second coming. Even the more hardcore/linux/Steam youtubers were quick to point out its faults. The controller may be good, but it has not batted a 1000 it seems. Guess we will have to wait for Steam Controller 3 or a third party to pick up the slack of the 2.
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The reviews were more positive than negative, but I really don't think that has anything to do with it. The available stock at that point was already set.
 
Topher said:
The reviews were more positive than negative, but I really don't think that has anything to do with it. The available stock at that point was already set.
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Not really negative, but typically shills will say "this is my new controller from now on". I didn't see that kind of high praise for it.
And you are right there wouldn't have been enough time to react to the reviews anyway.
 
Eh after some reflection when not getting one a few days ago, I'm honestly kinda over it. Now firmly in the "wait for some impressions from GAF members and probably only buy one if there are huge can't-miss features" mindset.
 
Topher said:
I'm thinking they underestimated demand........badly
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The original Steam controller did not do well. Once people learned how to set them up properly and take full advantage it gained some traction but this was after Valve purged their inventory with that $5 sale they had. In retrospect I should have bought 100 of them as today they sell for 200-300 and I use mine a lot on PC to this day.
 
HerpDerpstreit said:
The original Steam controller did not do well. Once people learned how to set them up properly and take full advantage it gained some traction but this was after Valve purged their inventory with that $5 sale they had. In retrospect I should have bought 100 of them as today they sell for 200-300 and I use mine a lot on PC to this day.
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$200-300 for the original? I have one somewhere. Might try to sell it.

jshackles said:
Eh after some reflection when not getting one a few days ago, I'm honestly kinda over it. Now firmly in the "wait for some impressions from GAF members and probably only buy one if there are huge can't-miss features" mindset.
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I was kind of in the same mindset, but now I've got $100 parked in my Steam wallet. lol.....oops
 
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Sorcerer said:
I wonder if the pre reviews being middling has something to do with it and Valve was genuinely caught by suprise? No one came out and said the controller was the second coming. Even the more hardcore/linux/Steam youtubers were quick to point out its faults. The controller may be good, but it has not batted a 1000 it seems. Guess we will have to wait for Steam Controller 3 or a third party to pick up the slack of the 2.
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Most of the negativity I have seen around it is based on it not supporting XInput. It is a valid concern for a general controller, but I wasn't expecting XInput support coming from Valve. I don't think the first one ever supported XInput. Everything else seems to be an improvement over the OG Steam controller.
 
jshackles said:
Eh after some reflection when not getting one a few days ago, I'm honestly kinda over it. Now firmly in the "wait for some impressions from GAF members and probably only buy one if there are huge can't-miss features" mindset.
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That's the boat I was in when I missed out on it, but man...I really want to see if I can boot up my Legion Go S SteamOS that's connected to my bedroom TV and if I have more of a "console-like" experience with the couch PC gaming setup.

I was originally going to get two, but I'll stick with one for now and test out all of my edge cases.

If they work out great, then I'll reserve my right to a reservation to hopefully possibly get a 2nd one definitely maybe some day.
 
Already bought one for a friend who was at work. Shame I can't reserve one for myself but I don't mind waiting for a Steam Machine Bundle and probably save a few bucks.
 
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reinking said:
Most of the negativity I have seen around it is based on it not supporting XInput. It is a valid concern for a general controller, but I wasn't expecting XInput support coming from Valve. I don't think the first one ever supported XInput. Everything else seems to be an improvement over the OG Steam controller.
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Bill from the Nerd Nest said the way he had to grip the controller actually caused pain in his finger.
I was looking forward to this for years (og fan of the original controller) and I will definitely get one or two, but it may need a revision or two for perfection, however. Maybe a third party will jump in and get around to it. I would love mechanical buttons and trigger stops.
 
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Topher said:
$200-300 for the original? I have one somewhere. Might try to sell it.



I was kind of in the same mindset, but now I've got $100 parked in my Steam wallet. lol.....oops
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Here's a current Amazon listing for the OG.

The controls on the Steam Deck were clearly influenced by the original and I really dig what they did there. Looking forward to getting a V2 but I haven't read anywhere that they kept the original's duel stage triggers like the GameCube controller has either. The soft pull for LT I had set to aim down sights in Destiny 2 and the 2nd activation was to turn on Gyro. That setup plus the right track pad for the camera controls felt fucking great.
 
manlisten said:
As a major brand, you just have to assume any new piece of kit you release will be botted and scalped day 1. Especially in the new age of AI.
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I'm not sure what the logic was behind not doing the reservation system like they did for the Steam Deck. That is how every company that has physical product releases should do "pre-sales". You know how many you need to manufacture, IF you are going to allow 3rd party vendors to sell your product at launch then produce an extra 15-25% over your reserved list and BOOM. You don't waste manufacturing or storage costs on unsold inventory and keep your core customer base happy.

Games Workshop did this with a Limited edition book last year, had a set time limit and said anyone that orders a copy in that window is guaranteed a copy and that will become the final number of editions. Scalpers may have ordered some and will eventually be able to make a little profit but the die hard fans that are willing to pay the crazy money if they had missed the pre-order are no longer stuck.
 
So they really do just release and forget huh? Nothing learned from dealing with steam deck I guess. (or the last 6 years for that matter)
 
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Well that's at least a good response, but should've been done in the first place.

I'm sure they didn't expect an accessory to sell out that fast vs the Steam Machine, but this version doesn't have the same limitations as the original Steam Controller lacking a d-pad and two sticks.
 
Last Hearth said:
15 minutes away, who else is ready to join me on the reservation list?
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I'm SO tempted, but I have to think rational. I want the Frame most, followed by the Machine which probably comes in a bundle with a controller. I don't need it right .... I don't need right now
 
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