1. The Steam Controller will be launched on May 4 for $99, while the Steam Machine’s release is delayed to 2026 due to RAM shortages.
2. The Steam Controller’s earlier release is primarily because it has no RAM, unlike the Steam Machine.
3. Valve’s development of the Steam Controller took over ten years, focusing on ergonomics over design.
4. The Steam Controller is compatible with Steam Deck, Windows PCs, and Macs, beyond just the Steam Machine market.
Valve Announced Release Date for Steam Controller
Valve has today confirmed that the Steam Controller will be launched on May 4 and will be offered for a recommended retail price of $99. But, still no signs of the Steam Machine, as the company states that the Linux console will only be available sometime in 2026. In an interview with Polygon, Valve’s hardware engineer Steve Cardinali commented on the delay of the Steam Machine’s launch.
Reasons Behind the Launch Timing
He explained that the Steam Controller’s early release compared to the Steam Machine was because it doesn’t contain any RAM components, so Valve didn’t see a reason to delay it. The company has once again pointed out that the ongoing DRAM crisis is behind the delay of the Steam Machine, as RAM prices are currently sky-high and its stock is quite scarce, making it difficult for small manufacturers like Valve to acquire enough to build their products.
Design Choices and Compatibility
Interestingly, Valve never intended to sell the Steam Controller and Steam Machine simultaneously. The main internal requirement was simply that the gamepad should come out before the console. Since the Steam Controller is compatible with Steam Deck as well as Windows PCs and Macs with Steam, it’s not just a product for Steam Machine fans. Valve mentioned that developing the Steam Controller took over ten years, and its angular shape was chosen mainly to prioritize ergonomics over aesthetics.
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