On the tenth anniversary of the first release of the now-discontinued Steam Controller, rumors are resurfacing that Valve will announce an updated version, and a reliable insider has reportedly obtained information regarding the design of the updated peripheral. The source also claims that Valve will soon reveal the new Steam Controller to the public, although a specific date was not provided.
2025 has seen several rumors of physical products adjacent to Steam. Valve is also expected to announce a wireless VR gaming headset in the near future, which may be called the “Steam Frame.” Now it seems that an updated Steam Controller drawing inspiration from the design of the popular Steam Deck could be announced at the same time.
The steam controller offers a robust design, several key functions
Valve insider Brad Lynch, who first teased the new Steam Controller in 2024, has now revealed information about the controller's design on Twitter. Lynch clarified that the image shared on the platform is not an image of the controller, but an AI-generated approximation based on a prototype he saw in person. The image shows a large, chunky controller with two joysticks, a Steam button in the middle, and dual trackpads that clearly show the Steam Deck inspiration.
Commenters on Twitter were quick to compare the new Steam Controller to The Duke, an old Xbox controller also infamous for its large size. Some praised the controller for its similarity to the Steam Deck, while others felt it was too large or disliked the inclusion of two touchpads. When a commenter asked when Valve might officially reveal the updated design, Lynch said they were “extremely close.” In addition to revealing the design of the controller, Lynch shared that it can “detect how far your hands are from the grip with a simple capsense feature.” “Capsense” is short for “capacitive sensors”, which the recently updated Steam Deck also boasts. He clarified that the feature “isn't full-scale finger tracking in the grips,” but a more basic version that can be used for gyroscopic movements.
It's been just over five years since Valve discontinued the original Steam controller, and one year since rumors began that it was developing a new one. If it really is as close to release as Lynch claims, it's possible that this new controller, along with the Steam Frame VR headset, could launch as early as Holiday 2025. If that's the case, the new and improved Steam Controller could be a hot item on gamers' Christmas lists this year.
- Mark
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Valve
- Original release date
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September 12, 2003
- Original MSRP (USD)
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ON
- Weight
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ON
