Steam Controller Launching Ahead of Steam Machine Due to RAM Shortage

Valve has confirmed that the global RAM shortage—driven by OpenAI’s aggressive wafer reservations—is delaying the release of the Steam Machine. However, the Steam Controller appears poised to launch ahead of schedule, as an official distributor in East Asia has published detailed product pages for the device.

Gabe Follower, a tech journalist, first reported the discovery on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Komodo Station, Valve’s official hardware distributor for much of East Asia, had posted a comprehensive page for the Steam Controller. The page included images and specifications before being removed. Shortly after, similar pages for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame appeared, though they contained minimal details and simply linked to Valve’s hardware page.

View Gabe Follower’s report on X

This development strongly suggests that Valve plans to release the Steam Controller separately from the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Unlike its counterparts, the Steam Controller does not require substantial internal memory to function, making it less vulnerable to the RAM crisis. While the Steam Machine and Steam Frame rely on hardware capable of running games, the controller’s simpler design allows for an earlier launch.

The Steam Controller represents the second iteration of Valve’s controller, following the first model’s commercial failure. The new version features a more traditional and refined design, departing from the elaborate and complex layout of its predecessor. However, some critics have noted that the controller’s size may be a potential drawback, though hands-on reviews have not yet confirmed this.

Valve is expected to launch the Steam Controller in select markets in the near future, if not globally. The company has not yet announced an official release date.