After I first heard that the Steam Controller was $99, I instantly recoiled. For what’s ostensibly a core controller, it would be a large value hike above its fellow $75 PS5’s DualSense 5 or $70 Xbox Collection X controller. However the extra I sit down and take into consideration all of the tech that Valve managed to shove into this factor, the extra it looks as if a fairly respectable deal.
That principally comes right down to the place it is competing. The world of PC controllers is full of ultra-premium “professional” controllers, that pack in some of the identical options because the Steam Controller however at a a lot larger value. I imply, simply take a look at the Asus ROG Raikiri II: It has the identical TMR sticks, however with added RGB lighting, and it prices nearly twice as a lot as Valve’s controller.
However the place Valve’s controller lacks fancy rainbow lighting, it has the identical haptic trackpads because the Steam Deck. These are divisive, of course, and so they make the controller fairly a bit bigger than it could be in any other case, however they’re genuinely helpful for anybody enjoying PC video games that do not often play good with a conventional controller.
Actually, that is what additionally units the Steam Controller other than some of the extra inexpensive controllers with TMR sticks. One thing just like the 8BitDo Final 2 or the GameSir G7 Professional even have the identical type of joysticks that’ll in all probability final you for years, however they are much cheaper, coming in at $69 and $79, respectively. However, once more, these controllers do not have Valve’s fancy little touchpads.
I am not saying that the Steam Controller is the most effective deal on the market for a controller – removed from it. However for all of the options, Valve in all probability might have gotten away with charging fairly a bit extra. And I simply hope the corporate carries that philosophy ahead for the Steam Machine.
Possibly The Steam Machine Will not Be Tremendous Costly
Assuming the Steam Machine comes out any time within the forseeable future, I do not assume there’s any escaping a larger price ticket than we initially hoped. All the way in which again in November, I used to be guessing that Valve’s console-esque mini gaming PC would price no less than $800, and the scenario has solely obtained dearer over the past six months or so.
However nonetheless, after I talked to Valve final yr, it insisted that the Steam Machine could be priced competitively with equally specced gaming PCs. It is laborious to take that at face worth in a world the place RAM prices have gone by way of the roof, however the Steam Controller coming in at such an inexpensive value is a good signal.
Assuming that Valve went into the Steam Controller pricing with the identical philosophy of matching comparable merchandise, it actually does appear to be it succeeded. Certain, there are cheaper controllers on the market with some of the options, however the Steam Controller holds its personal in opposition to gamepads that price upwards of $150. In our interview with Valve, Steve Cardinali instructed us that the worth was saved down by way of “self-discipline round what we embrace and do not embrace.” That positive explains the shortage of garish RGB lighting, nevertheless it additionally sounds similar to what Valve was telling me again in November about protecting the Steam Machine value down.
There’s nonetheless a pit in my abdomen the place I worry that the Steam Machine goes to price one thing ridiculous like $1,500. And, nicely, I suppose that is nonetheless attainable. But when the Steam Controller is any indication, perhaps Valve will discover a method to squeeze it in underneath $1,200. That’s in all probability nonetheless going to be too excessive for a lot of individuals, however similar to this controller, it could possibly be a lot dearer.
Jackie Thomas is the {Hardware} and Shopping for Guides Editor at IGN and the PC elements queen. You possibly can comply with her @Jackiecobra