Steam Controller key art cropped
Image: Valve

The Steam Controller launched this week, but if you tried to buy any more than an hour or so after launch, you were likely to be disappointed by an "out of stock" message. Now, Valve has detailed exactly when Steam Controllers will be able to order once again, and how they're preventing Steam Controllers from being purchased en masse for resale.

In short, Valve is going back to the tried and tested reservation queue. If you bought a Steam Deck direct from Valve, then you'll likely be familiar with this: you register your interest, get an email when your spot in the queue comes up, and then you have 72 hours to either place an order or relinquish your place.

The anti-scalping provisions feel fair too, with one Steam Controller purchase allowed per customer - so those that have already ordered one can't order a second just yet. Additionally, to place an order you need a Steam account in good standing (ie no VAC bans) that made a purchase before April 27th this year, around a week before the Steam Controller first went live.

Did you pre-order Valve's Steam Controller? (362 votes)

  1. Yes, from Valve42%
  2. Yes, from a third-party listing  0.6%
  3. No, but I tried to30%
  4. No, I'm waiting28%

The Steam Controller reservation system will start on May 8th at 10AM PDT, which works out to 6PM UK time. Ladies and gentlemen, start your watches.

In the meantime, you can have a play with the CAD files Valve released for the Steam Controller and its puck to support community accessory creation - or read our full Steam Controller review.

[source store.steampowered.com]