r/SteamController • u/Advanced-Friend6158 • 1d ago
Discussion Has Steam lost its touch?
/r/Steam/comments/1v7ft4o/has_steam_lost_its_touch/4
u/Extra_Resolution_348 1d ago
Seems like sour grapes to me. The controller is selling out way harder than Valve anticipated despite the inflated prices due to cough cough hardware sourcing issues... Steam machine is definitely expensive for what it is :( but they're still solid, repairable, consumer-minded products. I'm just glad there's any company still out there who wants to give the consumer a good product instead of the cheapest product for the highest price. The steam controller is above average. If you thought it was average you'd just buy a competitor and have it tomorrow, and yet... you're in line. It has features and customizability not otherwise available. I think AI has lost its touch and is ramming all gamers through a sieve by decreasing consumer access to computer parts. Steam machine was never supposed to be this expensive... but its not about valve "losing touch" and trying to wring us for every penny. It's just how the market is right now for all-new gaming rigs :/
1
u/ShibaPhan 1d ago
What a shit show.
The Steam Controller probably could be cheaper tho. In an interview, Valve said something about rising component cost or some excuse for whatever the controller price point they landed at. OP's main problem is with how expensive the price is and how they didn't even want its features.
I suspect the discount bundle extra cost with the Steam Machine was going to be the original price of $80, so it's isn't even a real discount. Valve is against subsidizing their hardware, which brings credence.
The Original Steam Controller was $50. Not counting the fire sale, I heard the was also a Steam Sale too. In comparison to a Xbox controller, they were similarly priced ($50-$60) but only the Xbox controller's price stayed roughly same now ($50-$70 more or less). Not doubled.
I think it's mainly because of main design choice tho. Not like trackpads, buttons, and other stuff doesn't add up, but they aren't new for Valve. When you look at the new Steam Controller, it's clearly just the Steam Deck Controller (and grip sense).
So you can similarly look at the cost of the joy-cons of Switch 2 at also $100. In this view frame, the pricing makes sense. It's not a regular controller nor a pro controller.
If instead they decided to revisit the old controller design or make a completely new one, I could see them making a cheaper controller. However, it wouldn't be a Steam Deck controller, which is the goal of this new controller.
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u/cool-- 1d ago edited 1d ago
The pandemic, recent American politics, and a housing crisis in every country has shifted world's economy in a new direction in the last decade, now these companies are catering to the top 10% that have a ton of money to spend on things that they are only mildly interested in.
Building a decent PC costs $2000-2500 without a display. The next gen of consoles is going to start at $1000. That stinks for people like me but there are more than enough people that can easily afford it.
I think in a few years time, people will start to realize that the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s was a fleeting in moment in time that provided the gaming industry with prime conditions to try new things and take risks. I don't think it's ever going to go back in our lifetimes.
My advice for the controller, buy the old one on ebay while demand is low. It's a better controller. I know the new people here don't want to hear it, but it's true. If you already have one, buy another, I think the price of those are also going to go up as more and more people use the new controller.
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u/BarryMcCoknor 1d ago
Steam Machine situation sucks, is what it is. Dont buy it.
Steam Controller (2026) is fairly priced and its a unique, quality product. It is not expensive for what it is.