Steam Controller 2.0: Drop it, Hear it Scream, Question Reality (in a good way)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Valve's new Steam Controller comes with a hidden Easter egg: drop it from a decent height in Big Picture mode, and it'll let out the classic Wilhelm scream. Verified by Eurogamer's Matt Wales, this quirky feature adds a playful, unexpected layer to the hardware, highlighting Valve's knack for embedding digital wizardry beyond just functionality.
Right, listen up, mates. We’ve all been there, haven't we? That moment when a game decides to kick you squarely in the digital gonads, and your controller suddenly feels like a frisbee of pure, unadulterated rage. Now, I'm more of a 'whisper existential threats' to my gamepad kind of wizard myself, but for those of you with a penchant for high-velocity peripheral re-decorating, Valve’s new Steam Controller has a little something extra for you.
Apparently, if you're lucky enough to snag one of these shiny new beauties and then, oh, let's say 'accidentally' introduce it to the floor from a sufficient height, it lets out the legendary Wilhelm scream. Yeah, *that* one. The classic Hollywood 'falling off a cliff' sound effect that's been haunting our ears since 1951. Turns out, our gamepads are now joining the theatrical elite!
Now, who was the first brave (or incredibly clumsy) soul to discover this? The digital tea leaves are a bit murky on that, but fair dinkum to them for giving us this gold. My inner 'what if...' wizard couldn't resist. And thankfully, Matt Wales over at Eurogamer – who first reported on this absolute gem – was compelled by similar journalistic curiosity to test it out himself. And guess what? He verified it! He reckons a drop of about three feet onto, say, a very patient couch cushion (or a less patient floor) does the trick reliably. Just make sure your controller's powered on and you're chilling in Steam's Big Picture mode. Otherwise, you've probably got a haunted controller on your hands, and that's a whole other news story, eh?
Now, is this just a cheeky Easter egg, a bit of Valve's signature irreverence baked into the hardware? Absolutely. But it also speaks volumes about the playful spirit still alive in gaming design. It’s not just about functionality; it's about delight, those little unexpected moments that make you grin like a cheshire cat who just found a glitch in the Matrix. It makes you wonder what other secrets these devices hold, doesn't it?
Speaking of the controller itself, Matt's early impressions (which you can totally read in full in his Eurogamer article, mate!) suggest it's a solid improvement, even if the thumbstick placement still makes it a bit niche for some. But honestly, after hearing about the scream, I reckon he’s kicking himself for not trying to make it yelp sooner. And for those eager to experiment with controller-induced vocalizations, good luck, as initial stock vanished quicker than my last paycheque. Valve says they're working on more, so keep an eye out!
So there you have it. The new Steam Controller – proving that sometimes, the most surprising features aren't found in the specs sheet, but in the glorious, chaotic mishaps of gaming life. Who knows what other digital spirits Valve has crammed into its hardware? What's next, a controller that sings opera when you win, or whispers existential dread when you lose? A wizard can dream!
*(Original reporting and verification by Matt Wales for Eurogamer)*
Tags: Steam Controller, Valve, Gaming Hardware, Easter Egg, Gaming Peripheral
Original article: Eurogamer