Valve opens reservation queue for the Steam Controller — and what it means for the Steam Frame

Valve creates a reservation queue to reduce Steam Controller resales; understand how this may impact the Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and future releases.

What happened to the Steam Controller

The Steam Controller became available sporadically shortly after its launch, leaving many buyers frustrated and leading some to pay inflated prices on the secondary market.

A reservation queue to curb reselling

Valve announced that starting May 8th, at 10 AM Pacific time, it will open a reservation queue for the Steam Controller, aiming to improve the purchasing experience and reduce resale activity.

Comparison with the Steam Deck

The strategy is similar to the Steam Deck, which faced high prices and stock issues, although delivery times showed variations over time.

Impact on the hardware ecosystem

The text also highlights that procuring high-cost components often leads to waiting lists and resales, with users resorting to various strategies not to miss the opportunity. The presence of bots and scrapers can make purchasing even more challenging.

What this means for the Steam Frame and Steam Machine

There is an expectation that Valve will apply the same reservation system to other hardware releases, such as the Steam Frame and the Steam Machine, given the demand anticipated by the community. The company acknowledges that predicting demand is a challenge, especially with fragile global supply chains.

Supply chain and deadlines

Experts point out that reservations can stabilize deliveries, maintaining deadlines even if there are delays. The Steam Deck, for instance, suffered a two-month delay due to supply issues.

Jacob, who has been writing about hardware for over eight years, comments on these dynamics in the current landscape.

Participate

Do you prefer the convenience of a reservation queue or the excitement of trying your luck on launch day? Leave your opinion in the comments below.

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