Valve has announced a new reservation system for the Steam Controller following heavy demand and purchasing issues surrounding the device’s launch earlier this week. Reservations will officially open on May 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, allowing customers to secure a place in line for future stock availability.
The Steam Controller launched on May 4, but the rollout was met with frustration from users who struggled to complete purchases due to overwhelming demand. In response, Valve says it is continuing to replenish inventory while introducing measures intended to improve the buying process and reduce reseller activity.
Under the new system, reservations will be limited to one Steam Controller per user. Once inventory becomes available, customers will receive an email invitation to complete their order, with purchases processed in the same sequence that reservations were made. Buyers will then have 72 hours to finalize the transaction through Steam.
Valve is also placing restrictions on eligibility for reservations. Accounts must be in good standing and must have made at least one Steam purchase prior to April 27, 2026. In addition, users who have already successfully purchased a Steam Controller will not currently be allowed to reserve another unit.
Stock replenishment and reservation fulfillment will occur at different times depending on the region. Valve plans to begin processing reservations in the United States and Canada next week, while customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia are expected to receive access in the following weeks.
The updated approach appears aimed at creating a more stable purchasing process while preventing large-scale bulk buying from resellers, an issue that contributed to the difficulties surrounding the initial launch.
