Valve launches Steam Controller on May 4 for $99

Valve has officially announced that sales of its new Steam Controller will start on May 4. The device will be priced at $99 in the US, €99 in the EU, £85 in the UK, 149 Canadian dollars in Canada, and 149 Australian dollars in Australia. The launch will take place simultaneously across all major markets.

The Steam Controller is designed as a universal gaming controller for the Steam ecosystem and is compatible with PCs, laptops, the Steam Deck handheld, the Steam Machine home console, and the Steam Frame VR headset.

The Steam Controller's headline feature is the touch-sensitive trackpads that replace a mouse. According to Valve, the trackpads offer significant flexibility by emulating a mouse in compatible games. They are designed for precision and come with extensive customisation options, making them suitable for everything from casual puzzles to competitive shooters. The controller also includes two full-size magnetic thumbsticks with capacitive TMR sensors, four haptic motors, and a gyroscope.

Valve also highlights a feature called Grip Sense, which uses capacitive sensors to detect when the controller is being held. Each grip on the Steam Controller has its own sensor. The main purpose is to quickly enable and disable the gyroscope, letting the player reset the controller to a neutral position when they reach the edge of their comfort zone. The principle is similar to lifting a mouse off the mat and placing it back in the centre.