Steam Controller reservations open after Valve’s new pad sells out fast

Valve’s new Steam Controller has moved from interesting accessory to hard-to-get hardware in record time. After the controller sold out quickly, Valve opened a reservation queue that holds a buyer’s place in line and gives them a limited purchase window when stock becomes available. That may sound like boring retail plumbing, but it matters because the Steam Controller could become a useful bridge device for PC, couch and phone-based remote play.

With Steam Link, a phone can already act as a portable screen for a gaming PC. Add a proper controller and a mount, and the setup starts looking like a lightweight handheld without buying another full device. The reservation system also helps fight bots and scalpers, which is important if Valve wants the controller to reach actual players rather than resale listings.