Steam

Steam’s new official controller comes from Hori and arrives this Halloween

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Something to look forward to: Hori is known for its high-end console gamepads and has released PC controllers before, but working directly with Valve on an officially licensed pad is somewhat unexpected. Additionally, this is the first controller Valve has licensed since discontinuing the Steam controller nearly five years ago. However, Hori has only confirmed a Japanese release so far.

Gaming accessories manufacturer Hori has unveiled an officially licensed Steam controller that will ship in Japan on October 31. So far, only Hori’s Japanese website and social channels mention the pad, but it would be strange if the peripheral remained exclusive to Japan.

Similar to newer controllers from other manufacturers, including high-end models from Microsoft and Sony, Hori’s offering will include four additional programmable inputs: two small buttons below the D-pad and right analog stick, and two pedals on the back. According to an automated translation of the company’s promo images, it will also support gyro and rapid-fire functions.

Additionally, the sticks feature touch sensors that users can adjust for different inputs, while the triggers can switch between digital and analog modes to better suit different genres such as shooters or racing games.

The home button is a dedicated Steam button that launches Big Picture Mode and opens the Steam menu while in-game. Hori also included the Steam Deck quick access button, which brings up a quick menu while in Big Picture Mode.

While the controller features Steam input and Hori will offer an app that allows users to customize numerous controller functions independently of Steam’s controller configurator. The gamepad supports wired and Bluetooth connections.

Despite being an officially licensed Steam controller, Hori’s product forgoes the trackpads that Valve’s original Steam controller and the Steam Deck use to simulate mouse input. Furthermore, Hori makes no mention of hall effect joysticks, which are resistant to the drift effect that has plagued recent official console pads.

While announcing the partnership with Hori, Valve provided a detailed update on controller usage on Steam. Currently, around 15 percent of Steam gaming sessions use a controller – three times as many as in 2018. Of these, more than half use Xbox controllers, a quarter use PlayStation pads, and around a tenth use the Steam Deck.

Hori’s Steam controller will be available on October 31 in four colors — black, white, green and purple — for 7,980 yen (about $50). Hori’s Japanese site also revealed another set of PC controllers later this summer that support DirectInput and X-Input but no Steam-specific features. They include a traditional pad for 4,980 yen ($30), a six-button fighting game controller for 6,480 yen ($40), a mini fight stick for 5,980 yen (about $37) and a new Real Arcade Pro Hayabusa fight stick for 15,980 yen ($100).

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