Support NeoGAF

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Valve has a message to all you folks (myself included) who love huffing your Steam Deck exhaust fumes: Stop it. Please.

Have you ever taken a break from playing your Steam Deck to sample the complex fragrances emanating from its exhaust vent? If so, you aren't alone. Since the release of the handheld PC, many owners have reported that they can't stop sniffing the fumes that waft out of the Steam Deck during play. It's become a bit of a meme among Steam Deck owners, with folks often posting online how much they enjoy the distinctive aroma. I'm one of those sickos, sticking my nose right above the exhaust and taking a big whiff each time I play. But someone finally asked Valve about this, and it turns out the company wants you all to knock it off.

On December 12, Reddit user Metapod100 shared a screenshot showing them asking Steam Support if it was "safe to inhale the exhaust fumes" from the Steam Deck's top vent. The user pointed out that people enjoying the smell has become "somewhat of a meme" and admitted many folks really like doing it.

Valve’s response had the same vibes of a school teacher telling kids kindly (but firmly) to stop eating paste.

“As with all electronics, it is generally not recommended you inhale the exhaust fumes on your device,” Steam Support said. “While there are no safety concerns with general usage, directly inhaling the device’s vent fumes should be avoided.”

Valve’s support team added that while they “understand” that it’s become a meme, they still want Steam Deck owners to “refrain from this behavior for the safety of your health.”

And that’s a totally fair, logical answer. But I’m going to ignore it. I can’t help it. Smelling the hot plastic-y (almost fruity) scent that my Steam Deck spits out after warming up is a habit I can’t shake. I love it too much. I’m sorry Valve. Please don’t be mad. (And also please release a Steam Deck-scented candle next Christmas!)

Valve To Steam Deck Owners: Stop Huffing Its Vent Fumes

The company behind Portal, Half-Life, and Steam isn’t amused by all the vent smellin’

kotaku.com

 

[Pejo]

I have nothing worthwhile to add to this information, but I fucking love how weird humanity is.

 

[Comandr]

No it smells good.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

A Nintendo Switch also puts out a not-unpleasant scent.

 

[Topher]

Now everyone will want to try huffing their Steam Deck's vent fumes.

including me

 

[alf717]

Reminds me of NES boxes or any game that came with a manual. I recall my Switch had that electronics smell that came from the exhaust vent back when I first got one at launch.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

That new console / game smell though.

 

[azertydu91]

 

[H4ze]

hahahah what, never hears of that, but maybe it is, because I don't own a Deck xD funny stuff

 

[LRKD]

had no clue that I wasn't the only one lmao, and before the steam deck it was the switch i'd huff and play. Steam deck also works great as a winter heater, toss the blanket over you and the deck, and put on a game and that baby doubles as an amazing personal heater.

 

[rofif]

I confirm. It smells amazing

 

[Skifi28]

 

[acm2000]

really old electronics smelt way way better, and probably highly toxic too for added excitement.

 

[Porticus]

Always did and always do.

 

[Midn1ght]

Can I suck the thumbsticks tho?

 

[THE DUCK]

Lol actually did thus a couple times. Reminded me a bit of new car smell, and was nice and warm like a sitting in front of a campfire with marshmellows, only 100 times better. What day is it again?

 

[acidagfc]

IDK guys, my Deck smells horrible. Like a death from cancer level horrible. Why would anyone want to huff that?

Some electronics do have a nice smell when first unwrapped, but Steam Deck ain't that.
At first I even thought it was the smell of the pouch that comes with it and I washed it in a washing machine, but no, it just keeps getting this horrible smell back after a while.

Maybe mine is broken and it burns inside, IDK, but I doubt I can RMA it on the account of bad plastic smell.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Mine ran out of gas. Could I RMA it for a unit with topped up gas?

 

[justiceiro]

No matter how much you try, nothing can replace the smell of a good woman.

 

[Hudo]

No. Let people huff on all the fumes they want to. Let natural selection take its course.

 

[RoboFu]

Nah, let them sniff and become sterile. It’s for the good of society.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

 

[outsida]

No... I don't think I will.

 

[crackajack]

now I also wonder what smell there even can be. naturally those 1kW fan heater will burn anything that goes through it and that can smell, but a sub 100W device?
oil of the fan bearing, glue on capacitors, or solder?
an aroma people like enough to start a stupid trend?

 

[Kilau]

You maniacs keep this up and they’ll have to put fake skunk smell in everything.

 

[Punished Miku]

This explains a lot.

 

[Mownoc]

Didn't know this was a wide spread thing. Glad I'm not alone.

 

[poodaddy]

What.....
why.....
I don't......
Now we're sniffing hardware?

This ain't right fellas. Do the right thing and give a lucky woman the finger pop and then smell your fingers to handle these urges more appropriately, but remember that your Steam Deck can't say no.

Jesus is watching.

 

[Senua]

 

[kvltus lvlzvs]

The steam deck vent smell reminds me of the smells my windows 95 family computer made

 

[Robb]

Pfft, don’t tell me what to do Gabe. Makes me want to smell it even more.

 

[Gamezone]

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

It smells like Best Buy in the 90s

 

[BlackTron]

Now they're gonna have to add bad smell to the exhaust just like bad taste to Switch games

 

[Fermbiz]

Im not going to lie, it does feel nice and warm when i put it close to my face

 

[Bernoulli]

 

[BWJinxing]

New electronic smell is nice.

I'm guilty of this, it's not just steam decks

 

[Amey]

Meh... Peasants!
Take a whiff of the rtx 4090 connector, you'll never go back to anything.

 

[Northeastmonk]

Got a box of new shoes, a new tire, and my Steam Deck.

Isn’t it just off-gas they’re smelling?

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Meh... Peasants!
Take a whiff of the rtx 4090 connector, you'll never go back to anything.

Oh fresh GPU smell is sensational! I was sad when my 3090 stopped doing it

 

[Spukc]

the 4090 has this weird warm plastic coffee roasted smell. Only when playing heavy games like cyberpunk do i really get that small high!

 

[Magic Carpet]

After I take a whiff of my Steam Deck I then take a Lick of a Switch Game Card.
Then Wish that someday Switch games come to the Deck.

 

[Scotty W]

Aaron Carter likely died as a result of long term abuse of computer duster air.

 

[lifa-cobex]

 

[j0hnnix]

Just huffing fumes is your great war.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Then: Licking Switch carts
Now: Sniffing Steam Deck vent fumes

 

[LordOfChaos]

Oh shit the vent fumes are literally so delicious smelling

 

[struggler_guts]

This is why we can't have nice things

 

[DaciaJC]