Valve unveils reservation system for the new Steam controller, here's when you can buy it

Valve's Steam Controller is returning to the hands of fans this Friday via a reservation system, according to an announcement.

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After launching May 4 and flying off shelves, the device became a victim of its own popularity, leading to intense scalping. Now, Valve is rolling out a new reservation queue to curb reseller activity and give genuine customers a fair shot.

Reservations open Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. Pacific, and each user is limited to one controller. Once you secure a spot, you'll have three days to complete your purchase. Valve also requires users to have made a Steam purchase before April 27 and maintain a good-standing account. Those who already own a controller won't be eligible for a second one in this batch.

The rollout will be staggered by region, starting with the US and Canada, then moving to the UK, EU, and Australia in the following weeks. This approach reflects Valve's broader strategy to manage demand while ensuring fair access. It's a step in the right direction for a product that's been long overdue for a modern refresh.

With the Steam Deck and now Steam Machine pushing Valve into new territory, the controller's return signals a renewed focus on the living room, which creates friction with the current living room gaming device owners - Xbox and PlayStation.

Both console companies have begun shifting strategy to prepare for the behemoth that is SteamOS, which grants access to the vast library of games that is Steam while simultaneously providing PC gamers with an option to bring the libraries they have been accumulating over the years into the living room. The Steam Machine is a direct challenge to the established ecosystems of Xbox and PlayStation.