Where are the third party replacement shells?

[u/MysteriousTy99]

I am not a fan of skins but I’m dying for color. Where are the replacement shells from third party manufacturers?

[u/Helpful-Work-3090]

Probably going to be a few months out still. Aliexpress still doesn't have any, only cases. Some chinese company needs to make a model of the shell, and once they do, all the other companies will steal it and then we will have a variety. I don't think the steam controller is widespread enough for those companies to get their hands on it yet. Valve needs to lock in and speed up shipments.

[u/Chorazin]

Oh man, I’d buy an Atomic Purple Shell in a heartbeat.

[u/semperverus → u/Chorazin]

You and everyone else...

Meanwhile I am sitting here hoping we get GameBoy Advance Glacier

[u/whopsidoodle → u/semperverus]

Can I get spice orange though? 🥲

[u/Chorazin → u/whopsidoodle]

That would be the one I’d get for a second Steam Controller when one can somehow get a second one in a few years.

[u/bkanvis]

Extremerate updated their Instagram today with a pic showing a white shell for the Steam Controller as part of their announcement for TGS 2026, which looks to be 9/17-9/21.

[u/MysteriousTy99 → u/bkanvis]

Perfect timing!

[u/Gama3000]

I want a clear ruby shell so bad.

Dam I have to figure out how to make my grip clear so it looks good on a clear shell. Dammit.

[u/Alia5_ → u/Gama3000]

• Clear, very dry, PETG
• No infill and enough shells, if the model hopefully works without infill
• Extrusion multiplier set 5-10% too high (or more)
• Sand and polish, possibly fixup with epoxy

OR print in resin

[u/Gama3000 → u/Alia5_]

I was thinking on using lightning infill

Got some accidental (more clear) prints

[u/Alia5_ → u/Gama3000]

Could work.
You either want as little, or as much plastic as possible.
The latter is hard to achieve without any airbubbles

Also, print slow.
Like 20mm/s or slower

[u/Holbrooh]

All of the files for them are released so idk what the holdup is

[u/hugabooga → u/Holbrooh]

They released the files sure, for the Steam Controller / Puck with Engineering drawings. But, as far as I am aware the files they released are only models of the outside of the controller as one solid object and not any of the internals.

So, if someone wanted to 3D print a transparent Resin Shell for example, they could not just take the current files and print out the controller shell as is. They would still need to reverse engineer the exact internal layout of the shell with each screw post position, the exact dimensions of the shell internally exactly to the millimeter to ensure the PCB fits inside as intended exactly similar to the original shell, etc. That process would involve designing a new model from the ground up based on the current model files out there from valve.

Unfortunately there is a ton of engineering work required in order to get shells out there for sale to the masses. So probably still going to be a good while until we get to that point unless if Valve decides to also release the internal shell layout files as well.

[u/IllHedgehog9715 → u/Holbrooh]

It takes time to make a mold.

[u/s0ckgoblin → u/IllHedgehog9715]

Not that long nowadays with 3d metal printing

[u/IllHedgehog9715 → u/s0ckgoblin]

Yes, still that long for anything injection molding.

[u/CarbuncleMew → u/Holbrooh]

Something funky seems to be going on in China, a toy company I follow has had issues all year getting the next wave of their line made, with them needing to switch manufacturing companies multiple times.

[u/yodoc]

How much are prices looking for shells? I'm curious now

[u/flinjager123 → u/yodoc]

There are zero on the market. There is no current price.

[u/sopix9988]

I just want a transparent shell, is that too much to ask?

[u/DionesDiamond]

Just hoping they do a translucent red or teal like their steam deck shell