Steam is getting a new official controller, but this time Valve isn’t making it themselves. The Japanese company Hori will make the new gamepad, which is set to launch on October 31st, 2024, in Japan.
The new controller is called the “Wireless Horipad for Steam.” It looks a bit like the Steam Deck’s layout and has some similar features. You can use it wirelessly with Bluetooth or plug it in with a USB-C cable. It has touch sensors on the thumbsticks to control motion sensing, and you can customize the buttons using Hori’s software.
This new controller is different from Valve’s old Steam Controller. It doesn’t have vibration, the four back buttons, or the special trackpads that the old one had. Instead, it’s more like Hori’s Xbox controllers that are already on the market.
For now, Hori is only selling the controller in Japan. It will come in four colors: black, white, bright yellow, and purple. The price is set at 7,890 yen, which is about $50 in US dollars.
Valve recently said that more people are using controllers with Steam games. This might be why they’re working with Hori to make an official controller. It’s not clear yet if the controller will be sold in other countries. This new product might show that PC gaming is becoming more popular in Japan, especially with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
