Valve releases Steam Controller CAD files under Creative Commons license

I love the readme on the gitlab page [1]. It feels so.. friendly :)

> This repository contains CAD files for the external shell (surface topology) of Steam Controller and the Steam Controller Puck, 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.

Feel free to use these to make your own Puck holders, Controller sweaters, or whatever else you want to create!

Your Steam Controller is yours, and you have the right to do with it what you want. That said, we highly recommend you leave it to professionals. Any damage you do will not be covered by your warranty – but more importantly, you might break your Steam Controller, or even get hurt! Be careful, and have fun.

[1] https://gitlab.steamos.cloud/SteamHardware/SteamController

It sold out in less than an hour. Scalpers are at it again. Units are showing up for as much as $300 in resell-value already. What I don't get is why their shop page just gives me an "out of stock" panel, instead of the purchase button. Why won't they just let me buy and pay it, and have it ship whenever? Is having customers to regularly check for new stock (and potentially missing it) better than ... just having them buy it in advance like a pre-order? I really don't get it. Like wouldn't it even make for a better forecasting indicator when it comes to resupplying?

Looks like a super cool feature for disabled players.

Regular controllers are good for people with the default number of arms, legs and fingers. But if you have some kind of disability, it's often pretty unique.

Regular game/computer controllers for disabled folks were pretty pricey last time I've checked.

AFAIK, 3d printing is not that expensive. Many places have hacker spaces or just people who print for almost free.

So I guess it's a huge win for people who need accommodations. I'm very happy for that!

I'm not disabled myself, it was just the first thought I had when I've read the news.

Even if Valve and Steam is great and overall a blessing for the PC space, I don't like the direction they take with this controller. It only works with Steam, it can't work on a desktop OS without it, despite standard layout. It is a subtle move towards a walled garden.

Here is the model viewable in a web browser, for anyone interested https://share.plasticity.xyz/r/BDt8nFGQYVsdhi-v5SHSOn6jtBQUV...

"FILE_DESCRIPTION((''),'2;1'); FILE_NAME('IBEX_SOLID','2025-11-20T09:57:55',('stevec'),(''), 'CREO PARAMETRIC BY PTC INC, 2020454','CREO PARAMETRIC BY PTC INC, 2020454','');"

Glad to see that valve is using the best CAD software :)

They also did this for the original steam controller, which I used a lot. When the back panel broke (its a trigger and battery cover) I was able to 3d print a replacement that has held up great.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/353370/announcements/detail...

Any word on when their new hardware will come out? It's been 6 months since the steam machine etc was announced and you still can't order one

I wish people would stop referring to "creative common licenses" as if they were even remotely comparable. The license in this case is CC BY-NC-SA which at least allows derivatives but really anything NC should not exist in CC even if its not as bad as the no-derivate jokes.

I sometimes watch "Ben Heck Hacks" live-streams rebuilding game controllers for people with disabilities [1]. People like him are what these files are for.

1: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHeckHacks/streams

Files are here: https://gitlab.steamos.cloud/SteamHardware/SteamController

Does the release of the controller mean that valve solved the issues with the supply chain of their announced products? I know that the main problem is the rising prices of memory chips, but I would hope this leads to an announcement about the Steam Machine and (I'm still hoping...) HLX/HL3

I wish computer mice did this.

I know multiple people whom are quite attached to 10+ year old mice that haven't been manufactured for quite some time, and would like to keep the familiar shape and design.

Great news! Open-sourcing the CAD files under Creative Commons is a wonderful move by Valve, enabling the community to create custom modifications and accessibility adaptations for the Steam Controller.

Cool! Other examples of this are Apple and Ford. https://developer.apple.com/accessories/Accessory-Design-Gui... https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/owner-resources/vehicle...

Can anyone share their experience enjoying the two pads they put on their controllers?

I have a Steam Deck and love it, but the only experience I have with those pads is “dammit I accidentally touched the pad again.” If I want a mouse, I just connect a Bluetooth mouse.

I thought for sure everyone knew it was a flop and we’d never see it again, but obviously that’s not right since they are back. What am I missing?

How does it work if this is under the creative commons license? Can 3rd parties sell this controller per the model? Other 3rd party vendors got around this by making a very minor change.

If only scalpers didn’t scoop up every unit

Valve is an exception in a rotten business.

Compare it to Sony who still put potentiometers in their controllers. Good luck desoldering and replacing that once analogs inevitably start to drift. It's super easy to damage something else in the process as I learned.

Valve will open-source the entire controller, the operating system, the hardware schematics, and the manufacturing process before they'll tell you what's happening with Half-Life 3.

GigaBASED, FOSS-pilled. Gaben protects

I can't believe that it sold out in 30 minutes!

very good

Keychron did it a while ago

Amazing. This is gonna be useful for my handheld project.

Valve is an exemplary company.

This should be mandatory for any company that wants to be allowed to sell their products in the market.

It's information age. Information about publicly offered stuff should be public.

Unfortunately we rely on voluntary heartwarming gestures like this one and reverse engineering attempts by hobbyists.

The day Gaben would fade away will be very sad moment for gaming industry. Steam is rare incredible company.

man i love valve

Pretty cool

The joysticks in the STP file don't seem to properly import into Plasticity; the STL files don't have this problem. Though I appreciate that there is even STP at all!

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W valve - Good Guy Gabe does it again.

When I have my own house I will put the biggest picture of Gaben possible in my office.

More companies should do this when they discontinue hardware. The community will keep it alive longer than you ever would, and it costs you nothing.

Great news! Open-sourcing the CAD files under Creative Commons is a fantastic move by Valve. This will enable the community to create custom modifications and accessibility adaptations for the Steam Controller.

Just in case anyone from valve is reading:

Dont care about controller, memory card or deck charger or whatever other irrelevant addition to existing products you have. I just want an update on the Frame. And yesterday too. Thank you for very much for your time and attention. Until our eyes meet again.