Valve doesn’t like the fact that the basic input of a PC, the keyboard and mouse, hasn’t changed in any significant way for many years, and is apparently frustrated by the lack of innovation in PC hardware. Because of this, the software company is hiring hardware development specialists for a new hardware project.

Perhaps Valve is not necessarily creating a new console, but may be developing a new controller for PC. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, whose chief video game controllers remain largely unchanged, from the NES to Wii U, each Nintendo console’s main controller is distinctive. Because Wii U offers consumers different controllers to play with, perhaps Valve should consider Nintendo’s forthcoming console as a primary recipient of its games and services.

“Valve is traditionally a software company. Open platforms like the PC and Mac are important to us, as they enable us and our partners to have a robust and direct relationship with customers.”

“We’re frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space though, so we’re jumping in.Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven’t really changed in any meaningful way over the years. There’s a real void in the marketplace, and opportunities to create compelling user experiences are being overlooked.”