### The Launch of the New Steam Controller: A Focus on PC Gaming
On May 4th, the new Steam Controller will officially go on sale, entering a competitive market dominated by established gamepads like the Xbox Wireless Controller and the PS5 DualSense. However, the Steam Controller differentiates itself with a singular focus on being a PC gaming controller, tailored specifically for the Steam platform. This raises an intriguing question: why are there so few dedicated controllers for PC gaming?
To explore this topic, we consulted Valve designer Lawrence Yang and engineer Steve Cardinali, who have substantial experience working on various Valve products, including the Steam Deck and the upcoming Steam Machine and VR hardware. While their insights shed some light on the matter, the overarching question of why the peripheral industry predominantly favors console-specific designs remains partially unanswered.
“I actually don’t know why!” Yang remarks with humor. “But we definitely did see an opportunity for a Steam-first, PC-first controller, and that’s why we made it.”
Cardinali adds, “It’s partially hard. When designing a controller for PC, you need to select certain functionalities, which puts you in direct competition with existing controllers. You must carefully consider what additional problems you’re solving with your design, whether those issues have already been addressed by other controllers, and whether the investment of time and resources is justified.”
Yang and Cardinali believe in the unique features they’ve incorporated into the new Steam Controller, which aims to provide gamers with innovative ways to interact with games. They recognize the challenges of striking the right balance between features and usability, ensuring the controller is worthwhile for both development and for gamers.
Despite the significant market share of Xbox and PlayStation controllers among Steam users—59% of Steam users opt for Xbox controllers, 26% for PlayStation, and only 10% for Steam Decks—Valve sees an opportunity to create a controller that goes beyond simply being “good enough.” Yang highlights that many of the current market controllers are designed primarily with consoles in mind, not PC gaming.
“We’ve made substantial advancements on Steam to ensure compatibility with various controllers. As of a recent blog post regarding Steam Input, we noted that 59% of users were using Xbox controllers, with 26% using PlayStation controllers. The data indicates that the vast majority of players already possess these controllers, which suffices for their needs. However, we believe there’s potential to design something that truly elevates the PC gaming experience,” Yang explains.
The new Steam Controller is set to fulfill that promise. It includes all the traditional inputs gamers expect while adding features like trackpads similar to those on the Steam Deck, making it more versatile for PC utility compared to conventional console controllers. While the controller is heavily integrated with Steam Input—meaning its utility is maximized within the Steam environment—enthusiasts willing to invest £85 will likely find value in its unique offerings.
In addition to discussing the new controller, Yang and Cardinali touched on ongoing frustrations with the delayed release of the Steam Machine and shared insights about future enhancements they envision for the next-generation Steam Deck. There appears to be a wealth of potential for innovation in PC gaming peripherals, and the new Steam Controller is a pivotal step in that direction.
