Video game trends are weird, and we aren’t always talking about the genres that spawn seemingly out of nowhere, like Soulsbornes, Bullet hell, and Animal Simulators, just to name a few. Sometimes, it’s the gamers themselves that engage in unique phenomena that defy explanations and, more often than not, capture the attention and imagination of the wider community. One such oddity has surfaced with the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming PC. A growing number of users have developed a peculiar interest in the scent emanating from their Steam Deck’s exhaust vent, leading to an unusual situation where Valve has had to step in and advise against this practice.
Since the release of the Steam Deck, there has been a surge in discussions among its owners about the intriguing smell produced by the device. Many have compared the aroma to various familiar scents, ranging from a new car to the fresh plastic of a PlayStation 1 controller (apparently, consoles have different and distinct smells, even those that belong to the same family). This peculiar interest in the Steam Deck’s scent has become a widespread topic on the internet, with numerous posts and discussions on online platforms like Reddit and Twitter. Users have shared their experiences and observations, some even mourning the loss of the fresh hardware smell over time.
The phenomenon caught enough attention for a Reddit user, Metapod100, to reach out to Steam Support, inquiring if it’s safe to inhaule the exhaust fumes from the Steam Deck’s vent. This inquiry, prompted by the internet’s fascination and the “meme” status that the smell had achieved, received a response from Valve that was both informative and cautionary.
Valve’s response was clear and straightforward: inhaling exhaust fumes from any electronic device, including the Steam Deck, is generally not recommended. While they acknowledged that there are no safety concerns with general usage of the Steam Deck, they advised against directly inhaling the device’s vent fumes.
This aligns with general recommendations for all electronic devices, emphasizing the importance of the public’s safety and health over the allure of a peculiar smell.
The reaction to Valve’s response has varied. While some users agreed to refrain from this behavior, others, including the original poster, admitted to continuing the practice despite the advice. This highlights a fascinating aspect of consumer behavior and the emotional connection users can develop with their devices, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Interestingly, the Nintendo Switch’s vent had a similar distinct smell as well. But, unlike with the Steam Deck, the fumes didn’t last as long. Not only that, but some users report a stronger smell coming from the Steam Deck OLED version.
Nevertheless, such behaviors highlight the unique and, more often than not, quirky ways in which gamers engage with their beloved devices.
Ultimately, the Steam Deck’s scent has become a huge part of its identity among users. This suggests an opportunity for Valve to capitalize on this unexpected interest, possibly through making sure that future iterations, which may not come out anytime soon, to feature a similar scent.
As the Steam Deck continues to evolve and gain popularity, it will be interesting to see how Valve and the community navigate these unique aspects of consumer engagement.
