Valve is fighting Steam Controller scalpers with a new reservations system

Valve’s new Steam controller sold out quickly when it went on sale Monday, and the company will open a “reservation queue” Friday at 1 p.m. ET for anyone who missed that first run.

When the controller first went on sale, many potential buyers had difficulty paying before the controller was out of stock, and some sellers on eBay posted listings for the controllers that were considerably more expensive than Valve’s $99 asking price. “While we were happy to see such a high level of interest, the experience for many of you trying to purchase it was incredibly frustrating,” Valve said. It makes changes to “improve the shopping experience and limit reseller activity.”

Once the reservations queue opens, “Once you reserve, your place in the queue will be saved,” according to Valve. “When we return to stock, order emails will be sent in the same order in which reservations were made.” When you receive your order email, you will have 72 hours to complete the purchase and you can only purchase one controller. To make a reservation, your account must be in good standing and you must have purchased something on Steam before April 27. And “for now”, if you have already purchased a Steam Controller, you cannot reserve another one. The company says it will begin honoring reservations “next week” in the US and Canada, and in the “following weeks” in the UK, EU and Australia.