Valve’s worst kept secret just got a little less secret. Dataminers have discovered fresh evidence that the Steam Controller 2 is closer to launch than ever, with new icon files appearing in Steam’s backend systems. This comes almost a decade after the original Steam Controller launched and five years since Valve discontinued it in a fire sale.
New Icon Confirms Controller Layout
Known Valve leaker SadlyItsBradley discovered a new SVG file in Steam’s backend database on October 28, 2025. The minimalist icon shows the basic layout of what Valve is calling the Steam Controller 2, internally codenamed Ibex. While the icon doesn’t show every button and input, it confirms the overall design direction that previous leaks hinted at.
The leaker clarified that this SVG file is essentially a simplified thumbnail meant for Steam’s interface, not a complete representation of the final product. Think of it like the controller icons you see when Steam detects what gamepad you have plugged in. Still, the presence of these files in the production backend strongly suggests Valve is getting ready to announce the controller publicly.
Design Based on Steam Deck Success
Earlier leaks from SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik revealed detailed concept designs showing what the Steam Controller 2 actually looks like. According to those images, the controller features a hybrid design that combines traditional gamepad inputs with the touchpads that made the original Steam Controller unique.
- Dual analog sticks in symmetrical placement (similar to Nintendo Switch Pro Controller)
- Dual trackpads inherited from the original Steam Controller
- Traditional D-pad for precise directional input
- Eight face buttons for expanded functionality
- Four shoulder buttons (likely two bumpers and two triggers)
- Rear grip buttons based on Steam Deck’s back paddles
- Gyro motion controls for precise aiming
- Touch-sensitive analog sticks for advanced input options
How the Leak Happened
The way these designs leaked is almost comical. Valve accidentally set the SteamVR app to allow anonymous account access by marking certain depots as free to download. This made all the depots accessible to anyone who knew where to look, including one depot containing content for the upcoming Deckard VR headset and its Roy controllers.
Hidden in that same data were the design files for the Steam Controller 2. Djundik spotted the files on Bluesky and shared upscaled versions of what Valve had tucked away. The company quickly reverted the access settings, but not before eagle-eyed dataminers grabbed everything they could find.
Why This Controller Matters
The original Steam Controller was ahead of its time but struggled to find mainstream acceptance. Launched in 2015 at $49.99, it featured dual trackpads instead of a right analog stick, making it perfect for games designed around mouse and keyboard but awkward for traditional gamepad titles. Valve eventually sold remaining inventory for just $5 each before discontinuing it entirely.
What killed the original wasn’t the concept but the execution. Players wanted both traditional inputs and innovative features, not one or the other. The Steam Deck proved Valve learned this lesson. That handheld PC combines standard controls with trackpads, gyro aiming, and back buttons, giving players every input option they could want. Early reactions to the Steam Deck controls were overwhelmingly positive, with many calling them the best controller layout they’d ever used.
The Steam Controller 2 appears to bring that same philosophy to a standalone gamepad. You get everything a traditional controller offers plus the advanced features power users crave. It’s the controller the original should have been from day one.
Mass Production Already Underway
According to Brad Lynch’s sources, both the Steam Controller 2 and the Roy VR controllers are currently being tooled for mass production. This isn’t just concept art sitting in a designer’s folder. Valve has committed factory resources to actually manufacture these controllers, which means they’re confident enough in the design to start production runs.
Lynch stated in his post on X that being in mass production tooling indicates these controllers are in the later stages of productization. Translation: they’re almost ready to ship. Valve doesn’t commit to manufacturing unless they plan to actually sell the product, especially after the Steam Machines disaster taught them expensive lessons about hardware launches.
Trackpad Changes Coming
Lynch revealed that the biggest change from the original Steam Controller will be the shape and size of the trackpads. The original featured two circular trackpads that dominated the controller’s face. The new design shrinks and reshapes them to fit alongside traditional analog sticks, creating what Lynch called a more gamepad-y form factor.
This compromise should make the controller less intimidating to traditional gamepad users while still offering the precision trackpad control that made the original special for certain game genres. Strategy games, MOBAs, and cursor-heavy interfaces work infinitely better with trackpads than analog sticks, so keeping them in the design makes sense for Steam’s diverse game library.
VR Controller Connection
The Steam Controller 2 isn’t launching in a vacuum. Valve is simultaneously developing the Roy controllers for their Deckard standalone VR headset. These wand-style controllers represent Valve’s answer to Meta Quest controllers, with leaked designs showing both ringed and non-ringed prototypes.
Some industry observers speculate Valve might announce both controllers together as part of a broader hardware push. The company has been quiet on the hardware front since the Steam Deck OLED launched, and a double announcement would generate significant buzz heading into 2026. Whether they bundle these announcements or stagger them across different events remains unclear.
Expected Pricing
| Controller | Original Price | Expected Price | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Controller (2015) | $49.99 | N/A | Xbox 360 Controller |
| Steam Controller 2 | N/A | $60-80 | DualSense, Xbox Elite |
| Xbox Wireless Controller | N/A | $59.99 | Industry standard |
| DualSense Wireless | N/A | $69.99 | Premium features |
The original Steam Controller launched at $49.99, but that was ten years ago when controllers were cheaper across the board. Today’s premium controllers like the DualSense Edge and Xbox Elite Series 2 command $150-200 price tags. A Steam Controller 2 with all these advanced features will likely slot somewhere between basic and elite tiers, probably landing around $60-80.
Steam Input Advantages
One often overlooked aspect of Valve’s controllers is Steam Input, the company’s incredibly powerful controller configuration software. Steam Input lets you rebind every button, adjust sensitivity curves, create mode shifts, and even use the gyro for mouse-like aiming in shooters. The Steam Deck’s controls work so well partly because of Steam Input’s flexibility.
The Steam Controller 2 will presumably launch with full Steam Input support, giving it capabilities that Microsoft and Sony controllers can’t match without third-party software. Want your right trackpad to act as a mouse in strategy games but switch to a radial menu in RPGs? Steam Input can do that. This software advantage could be the killer feature that justifies a higher price point.
Competition in the Controller Market
Valve faces fierce competition from established players and scrappy newcomers. Microsoft’s Xbox controllers remain the de facto standard for PC gaming. Sony’s DualSense controllers offer advanced haptics that have won over many PC gamers. Companies like 8BitDo, GameSir, and CRKD are churning out innovative designs at competitive prices.
The Steam Controller 2 needs to offer something these competitors can’t to justify its existence. The dual trackpad and back button combination should do that for enthusiast PC gamers who want maximum control flexibility. Casual players might still grab an Xbox controller, but the hardcore audience that Valve targets with Steam Deck should eat this up.
FAQs
When was the Steam Controller 2 leaked?
The most recent leak happened on October 28-29, 2025, when leaker SadlyItsBradley discovered new icon files in Steam’s backend database. Earlier design leaks occurred in November 2024 from SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik.
What is the Steam Controller 2 codename?
Valve internally refers to the Steam Controller 2 as Ibex. The companion VR controllers for the Deckard headset are codenamed Roy.
What features does the Steam Controller 2 have?
Based on leaks, it features dual analog sticks, dual trackpads, a D-pad, eight face buttons, four shoulder buttons, rear grip buttons, gyro motion controls, and touch-sensitive analog sticks.
When will the Steam Controller 2 be released?
Valve hasn’t announced a release date, but sources indicate the controller is currently in mass production tooling, suggesting a launch could happen in early to mid 2026.
How much will the Steam Controller 2 cost?
While no official pricing exists, industry observers expect it to cost between $60-80, positioned between basic controllers and premium elite models.
Will the Steam Controller 2 work with Steam Deck?
While not officially confirmed, it would be extremely surprising if Valve’s new controller didn’t work seamlessly with Steam Deck through wireless or wired connections.
What happened to the original Steam Controller?
Valve discontinued the original Steam Controller in 2019 after launching it in 2015. The company sold remaining inventory for $5 each in a fire sale before discontinuing production entirely.
Conclusion
The Steam Controller 2 represents Valve’s second attempt at creating the ultimate PC gaming controller, and this time they’re armed with lessons learned from both the original’s failure and the Steam Deck’s success. By combining traditional inputs that gamers expect with innovative features like dual trackpads and back buttons, Valve is positioning the Ibex controller as the choice for enthusiast PC gamers who want maximum flexibility. With icon files now appearing in Steam’s production backend and mass manufacturing already underway, an official announcement feels imminent. Whether Valve can succeed where the original failed depends on pricing, marketing, and most importantly, whether the gaming community is finally ready for a controller that breaks the traditional mold while still respecting it. The next few months should bring official confirmation of what leakers have been showing us for the past year.