Steam Controller sells out on release date, with scalpers inflating price to $250

Despite a steeper Steam Controller price than some followers expected, demand for the accessory remains high. Within an hour of its launch, gamers began seeing sold-out messages. Even for successful buyers, Valve’s store produced constant errors, testing their patience.

Perseverance didn't always pay off

Fans had set alarms for 1PM ET/6PM GMT, only to find the listing go live a few minutes early. However, it didn’t take long for the Steam Controller release date excitement to turn into frustration. When trying to submit payment, Redditors reported an “error initializing or updating your transaction” message.

After repeatedly spamming the purchase button, orders finally went through. Other hopeful buyers weren’t as fortunate. Some shoppers who already had the device in their carts were told, “Your order cannot be completed because one or more items in your cart are currently out of stock.”

At the moment, the PC controller is unavailable on the U.S. storefront, but it may resurface again for brief periods. European customers could have a longer window before supplies dwindle. In Asia, Valve-affiliated Komodo Station completely crashed in response to high server load.

With the sites under assault, it’s wise to refresh the store pages regularly before giving up. Otherwise, the only alternative may be infamous eBay scalpers. Sellers who secured multiple units are already flipping their purchases. Completed listings show sales for over twice the suggested Steam Controller price.

Is Valve ready for the Steam Machine release date?

Admired for its dual trackpads, the accessory was Valve’s biggest hardware launch since the Steam Deck OLED in 2023. Given their release date experiences, fans now have concerns about the upcoming Steam Machine and Frame VR headset. Although it could come at a high cost, the mini PC console alternative, in particular, is drawing massive interest.

The good news is that the Steam Controller should be less affected by the memory shortage. Hopefully, Valve already has reinforcements on the way.