Even heart valve problems, a worry because Arena shares part of the chemical mechanism of the withdrawn valve-harming diet drug fenfluramine, could be an issue.

FORBES: Arena's Problems Multiply

Within hours, SpaceX officials identified the culprit as a single defective valve, and were able to replace the part because it was easily accessible.

WSJ: SpaceX Acts Fast for New Launch

Drugs that stimulate the next subtype, the 5-HT2B receptor, have been associated with heart valve disease, the major reason for withdrawal of the fenfluramine part of the fen-phen weight loss combination drug.

FORBES: Why Does Arena's Obesity Drug Have Abuse Potential?

But even this safety valve approach is probably untenable as devices get smaller and sharing becomes more a seamless part of life.

FORBES: NASCAR's YouTube Problem

Moreover, beyond just the controllers we suspected to be part of the beta program, Newell tells the BBC that said prototypes will be of the Steambox, Valve's living room-friendly PC gaming initiative.

ENGADGET