A second OG Steam Controller prototype has been found at Goodwill
A second prototype of the original Steam Controller has been discovered at a Goodwill store in Seattle, marking a remarkable coincidence in gaming history. According to a Reddit post by user Waste-Set5032, their father serendipitously found and purchased the prototype, labeled ‘Chell,’ at the retail chain. This discovery follows another instance seven years earlier when a different original Steam Controller prototype surfaced at a Goodwill location, also of unknown origin. The newly found controller reportedly functions properly, suggesting it was preserved in relatively good condition. These improbable back-to-back prototype discoveries at the same retail chain have sparked humor and intrigue in the gaming community, with some playfully speculating that Valve founder Gabe Newell might be deliberately distributing company hardware at Goodwill stores. The original Steam Controller was Valve’s experimental attempt to revolutionize PC gaming input through an innovative control scheme featuring a distinctive large touchpad-based design instead of traditional analog sticks. While the controller developed a dedicated niche following among enthusiasts, it ultimately had limited mainstream adoption. Nevertheless, it laid important groundwork for controller innovations and design principles later adopted in products like the Steam Deck.