Valve Announces Reservation System for Next Batch of Steam Controllers After Initial Sell-Out
Valve will launch a reservation system for the second wave of Steam Controllers on May 8 at 1 p.m. ET to prevent bots and resellers from dominating sales. The first batch sold out within a day. Prospective buyers will be contacted in queue order and given 72 hours to complete purchases, with strict limits of one per user.
EngadgetM. m. PT. The move follows the first batch selling out in a day, prompting the company to adopt a structured reservation system rather than risk another open scramble.
The reservation system is designed to ensure more actual customers receive the hardware instead of bots or resellers scooping up inventory. Only one Steam Controller will be sold per user in this wave, and people who have already bought a Steam Controller will not be eligible to purchase a second one. Prospective customers will be contacted in order from the reservation queue.
Those reached will then have 72 hours to complete the purchase. Valve announced plans to handle the next wave of Steam Controller sales using this reservation system after the initial batch sold out within a single day. Engadget reported that the approach offers a preview of how the company may manage demand for its forthcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR hardware.
M. EST. The article noted that Valve hopes to have similar systems ready before buying sprees begin for those anticipated gaming projects.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
2 events- 2026-05-07 14:21 EST
Engadget publishes article detailing Valve's reservation plans
1 sourceEngadget - 2026-05-08 13:00 ET
Valve to open reservations for second wave of Steam Controllers
1 sourceValve
Potential Impact
- 01
Improved access for genuine customers over scalpers in second wave
- 02
Sets precedent for future Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR launches
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