If you’ve put in an order for a Steam Controller and are still awaiting its arrival, a new system Valve have rolled out can offer you an estimate of when you should hear from them about your order. While you’ll only be given one of three very rough windows, it’s at least something to go on if you’re wondering where you’re at in the queue.

“When we launched Steam Controller last month, we quickly saw that initial demand exceeded our expectations,” Valve wrote in a news post about the more detailed timeline for reservations they’ve just deployed. “Switching to a reservation queue has (hopefully) cut down on the headaches on the customer side, and for us it’s also been helpful as we plan ahead and try to get as many out as quickly as we are able.

“We have no plans to stop making Steam Controller. But as we look at the current demand compared to how many we know we can make by the end of the year, we want to manage expectations as much as we can with regards to when folks can expect to receive their order.” So, heading over the Steam Controller page while logged in will now show folks awaiting their order a time window by which they can expect to receive an email about it. You’ll see one of three timelines: by September 2026, by December 2026, and in 2027.

Valve have gone for these three in an effort to keep things simple, with those who end up with the 2027 window being reassured that “additional information on specific timing” will arrive further down the line. Those who’ve not yet ordered a controller, but decide to do so from this point forward will also be shown an estimated window – most likely to be 2027 right now since you’ll be joining the back of the queue.

Once you finally get that elusive email about your reservation, you’ll have 72 hours to go through with the order before Valve move on to the next person in line.

Here’s James’ Steam Controller review, if you’ve still not digested the pros and cons of it. Meanwhile, its siblings the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are set to go on sale this summer, following memory crisis-fuelled delays.