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Valve's £85 Steam Controller divides gamers ahead of May launch
TL;DR
Valve's new Steam Controller will launch on May 4 for £85 in the UK and $99 in the US, sparking mixed reactions from gamers. It is compatible with PCs and the Steam Deck.
Key points
- Valve's Steam Controller launches on May 4
- Price is £85 in the UK and $99 in the US
- Compatible with PCs and Steam Deck
- Designed for the upcoming Steam Machine
- Mixed reactions from gamers on social media
Mentioned in this story
Valve
Steam ControllerSteam DeckSteam Machine
Valve has announced its new Steam Controller will be available to order from 4 May, and will cost £85 in the UK and $99 in the US - prices that have raised eyebrows among some gamers.
The second generation of the gamepad, it will be compatible with PCs and Valve's handheld console, the Steam Deck.
It is also designed to work with the company's own upcoming gaming PC, the Steam Machine.
"The Steam Controller may be more expensive than the standard controllers from Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation, but we do live in a time where companies including Sony and Microsoft are selling premium controllers for £150-£200", said Chris Scullion deputy editor of Video Games Chronicle.
There has been a negative reaction from some gamers on social media though.
The price changed it from "insta-buy to thinking about it", according to a comment on Reddit reacting to an early review
However, another on Bluesky felt the cost made "sense" given the "more premium" tech involved.
"The early hands-on verdicts on the Steam Controller appear to be positive, so while I don't see it taking over the Xbox Wireless Controller as the most commonly used PC controller, I can still certainly see it selling reasonably well among the smaller group of core enthusiasts willing to pay more for such a peripheral," Scullion told BBC News
Reviews have been largely positive about the wireless controller's use of haptic trackpads, which let players simulate mouse controls in PC games, and of a magnetic 'puck' to sync the pad to PC, as well as charge it.
However, reviewers also pointed out the lack of "swappable parts" and customisation in the controller.
The pad is designed to only work with devices running Valve's PC gaming platform Steam and is not compatible with consoles.
Much of the discussion online has focused on the price, twice what the first generation of the device cost in 2015.
It sits between current standard tiers for controllers for consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox (roughly between £45-£65, $60-$75) and their premium versions (roughly between £120 - £160, $150-$200).
"I have paid more for a controller, I have paid a lot less, too," read one of the most upvoted comments.
Q&A
When will Valve's Steam Controller be available for order?
Valve's Steam Controller will be available for order starting May 4.
What is the price of the Steam Controller in the UK and US?
The Steam Controller will cost £85 in the UK and $99 in the US.
What devices is the Steam Controller compatible with?
The Steam Controller is compatible with PCs, the Steam Deck, and the upcoming Steam Machine.
Why are some gamers reacting negatively to the Steam Controller's price?
Some gamers are concerned about the £85 price point, which they feel is high compared to standard controllers from other brands.
