There are signs that the release date for Valve's highly anticipated Steam Controller is approaching. A newly discovered opening video on SteamDB, which is currently unplayable, suggests that the release of the new game controller is very close. This development comes after reports of significant shipments of the controller, indicating that Valve is preparing to stock up before its official promotion.

Key Points

  • A video titled "steam_controller_unboxing_2026" has been uploaded by Valve to SteamDB.
  • The video is not yet publicly available, indicating that this is a pre-release presence.
  • Recent shipment documents show that a large amount of "wireless PC controller" has been imported from Valve.
  • The release of the Steam Controller seems to be prioritized over the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.
  • The price and exact release date of the controller have not yet been announced.

Opening Video Indicates Upcoming Release

Valve has added an opening video for the Steam Controller to its platform. This video was noticed by careful observers on SteamDB. The video titled "steam_controller_unboxing_2026" was uploaded on April 20 but is currently inaccessible to the public. It displays the message, "This video has not been processed for release." This move is interpreted as a strong indication that the release of the controller is very close.

Shipments and Stocking Continue

Another development that has heightened expectations is the reporting of shipment documents by industry expert Brad Lynch (known on X as @SadlyItsBradley). These documents reveal that Valve has received its first large-volume import for the new wireless controller. This situation indicates that the company is actively stocking up for the release of the Steam Controller. With the completion of these shipments, the release of the opening materials and the controller itself seems like the next logical step.

Delays for Steam Machine and Steam Frame

As the release of the Steam Controller approaches, the same cannot be said for Valve's other planned hardware, the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. These devices were initially scheduled to be released in early 2026 but have faced significant delays due to component shortages and pricing challenges. The lack of similar opening video hints for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame suggests that Valve may prefer to release the controller as an independent product first or at least prioritize its release.

What's Next?

Despite the increasing evidence, important details such as the price and exact release date of the Steam Controller are still unknown. However, the emergence of the opening video and confirmed shipments strongly indicate that an official announcement from Valve can be expected very soon. Gamers looking for a new PC game controller, especially one with native Linux support, are eagerly awaiting more news.