Let's chat about Valve's Steam Controller

In this episode of The Engadget Podcast, Senior Editors Devintra Hardwar and Jessica Konda dive deep into Valve's newly released Steam Controller, a $100 peripheral designed to enhance PC gaming from the couch. While the controller's unique design—featuring dual trackpads, magnetic analog sticks, and a sleek matte black finish—draws comparisons to the PS3's Boomerang controller, the real discussion centers on its ecosystem lock-in. The controller only communicates through Steam, requiring non-Steam games to be added to the Steam library to function, a move that sparks debate over Valve's strategy of reinforcing its platform dominance. Despite this, Jess praises the controller's build quality, haptics, and performance in games like Overwatch and The Seance of Lake Manor, calling it a strong $100 option for Steam-centric players. The conversation also touches on the delayed Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset, with speculation that Valve is releasing the controller first due to supply chain issues and market timing concerns. The hosts reflect on the broader context of expensive, closed gaming hardware in 2026, especially amid rising console prices and a challenging tech landscape. The episode closes with a lively discussion about current games, including the meditative climbing title Cairn, the stylish Capcom action game Pragmata, and the brutally unforgiving multiplayer horror game Marathon, which Jess describes as a psychological thriller that thrives on isolation and tension. The hosts also tease upcoming projects like Housemarque’s Soros and a new Resident Evil film directed by Zack Kreger, while announcing Engadget’s transition to Static Media and a faster, redesigned website.