A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
Steam Controller sold out in 30 minutes.
02
Customers faced website transaction errors.
03
Resale prices reached up to $700.
Atlas AI
Valve’s new $99 Steam Controller sold out about 30 minutes asourceser preorders opened on its website on Tuesday, with would-be buyers reporting checkout errors and repeated attempts to complete purchases.
Preorders went live at 10 a.m. PST, but high traffic appeared to trigger transaction problems for some users, including error messages during checkout. Others said they had to retry the process multiple times before an order would go through.
As inventory disappeared, listings for the controller quickly surfaced on resale sites such as eBay at higher prices, with some postings ranging from $250 to $700.
Valve did not immediately comment on the technical issues or the rapid stock depletion. However, the controller intermittently reappeared on Valve’s site asourceser the initial sellout, with the order page showing an estimated delivery time of six to 10 business days.
The problems have prompted some gamers to call on Valve to improve its online ordering system, especially ahead of future hardware releases including the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.
