Valve has launched a reservation system for its Steam Controller after the device sold out on May 4th, 2026. The queue allows interested buyers to hold a place in line for future restocks rather than competing for limited inventory as it becomes available.
To be eligible, a Steam account must be in good standing and have at least one prior purchase made before April 27th, 2026. Once a controller becomes available for a queued customer, Valve will send an email notification. The customer then has 72 hours to complete the purchase before the offer moves to the next person in line.
The Steam Controller is priced at $99. Valve had told The Verge ahead of the product’s launch that it had significant supply prepared, but acknowledged uncertainty around how strong demand would be. The rapid sellout indicates demand exceeded available stock.
The reservation system means customers no longer need to monitor for restocks manually or risk missing limited inventory windows. Instead, the queue provides a structured path to purchase, though wait times will depend on how quickly Valve replenishes supply.
Source: The Verge