Recently, The Verge reported that Hori, a well-known peripherals manufacturer, is set to release an official Steam-branded controller in Japan on October 31. This news has stirred up some excitement among gamers, but upon closer inspection, it seems that this new controller may not live up to the expectations set by its predecessors.
While touted as a Steam controller, this new offering from Hori is far from being a true successor to the infamous Steam Controller. In fact, it seems to be more of a run-of-the-mill mid-budget controller with a slight upgrade from Hori’s previous models. The absence of groundbreaking features like drift-proof Hall Effect analogue sticks or a rechargeable battery leaves much to be desired.
It is noteworthy that Valve has decided to dip its toe back into the realm of Steam-branded hardware licensing with this new controller. This move comes after the lukewarm reception and eventual demise of the ill-fated Steam Machines. While the Steam Deck has found success in the handheld gaming market, it remains to be seen if Valve’s foray into third-party hardware partnerships will yield positive results.
The release of the Wireless Horipad for Steam raises questions about Valve’s future plans for hardware licensing. Will we see more lackluster offerings like this controller in the future, or is Valve preparing something truly innovative? It is unclear if the company’s track record of avoiding losers will translate to success in the hardware market.
The new Steam-branded controller by Hori may not be the groundbreaking device that gamers were hoping for. With its lack of standout features and unimpressive design, it remains to be seen if this controller will make waves in the gaming community. Valve’s reentry into hardware licensing with this product raises questions about the company’s future direction and commitment to innovation in the gaming industry. Only time will tell if this controller is a mere blip on the radar or a sign of things to come.
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