https://x.com/valvesoftware/status/2051695149026353424
“Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it. We’re working on getting more in stock and will have an update on expected timeline soon.”
It’s marketing. Nintendo deliberately under stocks new hardware to make the value of the device explode on the secondary market. Scalpers know this and usually buy out most of the first run. When you can’t get the new Nintendo device because it’s unavailable and scalpers are selling it for 2-3x retail price, you are far more likely to buy is asap when it comes back in stock. They make less money initially but in a way that makes the value of the product extremely high, giving people extremely high motivation to buy while they can. Also, a sale to a scalper is worth as much to Nintendo as sale to a consumer. Nintendo is notorious for doing this every time.
Pretty sure that everyone who wanted a switch 2 on launch got one, and I didn’t hear about any huge scalper problems or shortages. It set records for a launch, 3.4m in the first 4 days; 5.82m in the first month. 1.1m in the US week 1, beating PS4.
Now stop making me defend Nintendo of all things
Nintendo consoles are usually there to play exclusive games on it. The Steam Controller on the other hand is not a neccessary device. I don’t know if Nintendo does scarcity intentionally (I doubt that, but that is not the point here), but for Valve there is absolutely no reason to.