Even if Valve’s new Steam Controller is hard to get hold of, modders are going to have a field day with it. Valve has released the 3D CAD files for free, as it did with the original Steam Controller a decade ago.
As VideoCardz reports, modders will be able to create their own accessories and controller skins, and replace buttons and components.
“We have exciting news to share for those of you who want to hack, mod, or design accessories for the Steam Controller and Puck,” Valve announced on Tuesday. “We’re making the CAD files for the external shell (surface topology) of [the] Steam Controller and Puck available for download under a Creative Commons license. This includes an STP model of each, an STL model of each, and an engineering drawing with critical features/keep outs for each.”
(Credit: Valve)
This should enable anyone with a little technical know-how to craft their own 3D-printed accessories without exhaustive trial and error.
To see what kind of upgrades and accessories might come out of this project, we need only look at what modders did with the original Steam Controller. There are crystal case designs, replacement sticks and buttons, enhanced gyroscopic controls, keyboard mods, replacement ports, and more.
For accessory companies, this is also a goldmine of information. Instead of having to reverse-engineer the design, they can start producing skins, alternative buttons and triggers, and third-party replacement parts without having to jump through approval loopholes. This could also be a great source of ideas for any future controller designs, Steam or otherwise.
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In the meantime, Valve is working to get more Steam Controllers into people’s hands after the original batch sold out in just a few minutes. Unfortunately, not all of the buyers were honest gamers looking for a new controller, though. Many have already made their way to eBay and other resale websites as scalpers looked to cash in on a popular new product. The controller retails for $99, but it’s going for more than double that on eBay.
Even the original Steam Controller has generated extra interest of late, with that controller selling for upwards of $50 on eBay.
Valve’s $99 Steam Controller (2026) Review
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Jon Martindale
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Jon Martindale is a tech journalist from the UK, with 20 years of experience covering all manner of PC components and associated gadgets. He’s written for a range of publications, including ExtremeTech, Digital Trends, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Lifewire, among others. When not writing, he’s a big board gamer and reader, with a particular habit of speed-reading through long manga sagas.
Jon covers the latest PC components, as well as how-to guides on everything from how to take a screenshot to how to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. He particularly enjoys the battles between the top tech giants in CPUs and GPUs, and tries his best not to take sides.
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