I’m job searching right now and can’t really justify the Steam Controller purchase this week. Before getting laid off and RAM-pocalypse, the plan was to buy a Steam Machine and controller when it was going to release early 2026, but clearly that plan has changed a bit.
The FOMO is hitting after the previews this week! Do we think we need to worry about Steam Controller availability later in the year?
I use a DualSense Edge for my PS5, and either an old PS controller when docked or my 8BitDo SN30 when I travel for the Steam Deck. If I had the Steam Machine I’d buy it instantly, but who knows when that will happen and how much it’ll cost.
I would not personally suspect availability concerns for the controller in the same way I would expect for the frame and machine.
I think the Steam Machine was the weakest part of the line-up, even before all the memory shortage stuff, which is likely going to increase the price. I think, the only reason that’s going to sell out, if Valve just doesn’t have a lot of them.
As for the Frame, VR is just too niche, so similarly, I don’t think it will be hard to get one.
I’m worried Valve has the same expectation for the Frame and will understock it. It’s the device I’m looking forward to the most.