New details about the rumored next-generation Steam controller, the Steam Controller 2, have emerged courtesy of insider SadlyItsBradley.
He shared a render of the device on X, clarifying that the image was produced by an AI model trained on an actual photograph of the new controller. The insider did not release the original photo to avoid disclosing sensitive information.
According to the leak, the Steam Controller 2 will reportedly use capsense to sense the distance of hands from the grips. The system resembles the approach used by Valve Index controllers but does not provide full finger tracking within the grips.
Earlier, the same source discovered a minimalist Steam Controller 2 icon in the database following an update. The presence of an SVG file suggests Valve might be close to formally announcing a successor to the original controller. He also referenced an earlier leak from Djundik, the creator of SteamDB, who revealed a conceptual design for the Steam Controller 2. That leak indicated Valve had assigned the internal codename “ibex” to the new gamepad. Regarding how Djundik’s images were exposed, he noted Valve set the SteamVR app to “freetodownload,” which allowed anonymous accounts to access repositories—one of which contained content related to VR headset controllers.
The render shows the controller will include:
- two analog sticks;
- two trackpads;
- a d-pad;
- eight face buttons;
- four shoulder buttons;
- and possible rear buttons.
The analog sticks are symmetrically arranged and resemble those on the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Source: iXBT.games