Valve has begun the process of reaching out to individuals on the Steam Controller waitlist, sending out reservation emails that provide eligible buyers with an opportunity to finalize their purchases. Those fortunate enough to be included in this initial wave have until May 18 to confirm their orders; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of their reservation, allowing the next person in line to take their place. The first batch of controllers has started to arrive this week, following the launch of the reservation system on May 8, which came after the controller sold out in a mere 30 minutes during its debut on May 4.
How to Claim Your Steam Controller Reservation
For those with a reservation, it is crucial to check both your email and spam folder diligently. Reports from the r/SteamController subreddit suggest that Valve is not sending out reminder messages, making it imperative to act promptly. Missing the purchase window could mean losing the reservation entirely. Currently, the purchase window is set at 72 hours from the moment the email is received. Once confirmed and payment is processed, fulfillment is expected to commence in the United States and Canada first, followed by the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia in the weeks ahead.
Why Steam Controller Email Rollout Feels Random
The reservation system, while generally chronological, does not adhere strictly to this order. For instance, one Reddit user who reserved at 9:59 AM PST on May 8 received an email shortly thereafter, while another user who made a reservation at the same time has yet to receive theirs. Additionally, a third user who reserved 40 seconds before the official window opened is still waiting for communication. Valve has not publicly clarified the method behind the email distribution. This rollout mirrors the Steam Deck reservation experience in 2022, which faced similar inconsistencies attributed to factors such as server batching, regional processing, and email queue management.
What the Reservation System Means for Late Buyers
For those who are not included in the current wave of reservations, there is no need to worry; reservations do not expire for users still waiting. They will remain in line for future batches. However, Valve has yet to announce when subsequent batches will be dispatched or how long it might take to clear the entire reservation queue. Meanwhile, resale prices on platforms like eBay continue to soar, with Steam Controller listings significantly exceeding the retail price of . The anti-scalper measures implemented alongside the reservation system, such as requiring a Steam account in good standing with a purchase made before April 27, 2026, have helped to limit secondary market activity, though they have not entirely eradicated it.
The Steam Controller, launched on May 4 at a retail price of , boasts impressive features including TMR magnetic thumbsticks, dual trackpads, gyro support, four rear grip buttons, and a Puck accessory that serves both as a charger and a 2.4GHz wireless receiver.
