Valve's new Steam Controller is set to launch in May at a price of £85 in the UK and $99 in the US. While reviews are positive for its innovative features such as haptic trackpads, some gamers are questioning the steep cost compared to traditional controllers.

‘The Steam Controller may be more expensive than standard controllers from Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation but we do live in a time where companies including Sony and Microsoft are selling premium controllers for £150-£200,’ said Chris Scullion, deputy editor of Video Games Chronicle. However, some critics argue that the controller’s specific compatibility with Valve’s platforms makes it less appealing.

‘The early hands-on verdicts on the Steam Controller appear to be positive, so while I don’t see it taking over the Xbox Wireless Controller as the most commonly used PC controller, I can still certainly see it selling reasonably well among the smaller group of core enthusiasts willing to pay more for such a peripheral,’ Scullion added.

The device's price has led some to speculate about the potential cost of Valve’s Steam Machine. This second attempt at a gaming PC was released in 2015 but failed to break into a market dominated by Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo. The Steam Machine now faces higher hardware costs due to rising component prices.

The ongoing tech trend towards more expensive peripherals for PC gaming reflects broader shifts in the industry, with AI companies’ appetite for compute driving up prices globally.