How did a jokey Reddit post of a screenshot of a support response turn into every site covering this like everyone is doing it and Valve is pleading everyone to stop?
this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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Because "journalists" gotta get those clicks
Next year: New Steam Deck rumored to have an essential oil compartment.
…fumes? Does this handheld device run on a literal steam engine or something?
New electronics will have a smell mostly from adhesives outgassing. Those fumes.
This is the only board I ever smelled that was pleasant. Usually a circuit board smells faintly of burnt plastic and pee, even new.
Well, I guess we found who the warning was directed at lol
It seemed like a disclaimer more than a warning.
New electronics usually smells really good. I cannot be the only one.
Yeah I figured it had to be glue or plastic based fumes from heat.
Same energy as "Do not lick your Nintendo Switch cardridges"
I didn't know that was a thing until I saw a reference like this a couple years ago so looked it up.
Believe you me I immediately grabbed two cartridges and asked my kiddo if they'd like to lick one. They're very bitter
Jokes on them I didn't hear about the vent fumes until they asked me not to huff them now I've been sniffing erryday.
Streisand Effect
100%
If the fumes are dangerous enough to warn people about, should the materials that emit them really be in a handheld that might be used by children?
Should LEGOs, which pose a swallowing risk, be used by children?
Legos have age ranges written clearly on the packaging. Can't remember if the steam deck had similar labelling on its box.
Swallowing is also a much more obvious risk that parents are aware of. Valve is issuing an official statement to its adult customers not to smell the poison gas from its product, so apparently the danger is not so obvious.
That's true. I'm reminded of how the "new car smell" (a smell adults actively seek out as it is considered pleasant) actually consists of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and volatile organic compounds.
Yeah there's a big failure in education regarding dangerous smells. I have had multiple adults tell me that they love the smell of gasoline and like to breathe deep at the gas station...
Totally beside the point, but is it just me or is that article written really strangely? Overall it has a kinda high school newspaper vibe, but in particular the attempts at humor are both awkward and numerous.
The information itself is good, though, so thank you for sharing!
Forbes has fell off in recent times so it's not surprising the article feels that way
It wasn't an official statement from Valve, it was a reply to a support request. People are reading way too much into this.
Keep out of reach of small children
https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/store/steamdeck/SteamDeckManual022022.pdf
Would smelling an Xbox 360 controller circa 2009 have a similar carcinogenic effect? Asking for a friend
That's a good vintage. That one is fine. But it will make your baby smaller.
Ok that’s perfect, got a vasectomy
That makes the babies even smaller.
It's sad times when the game you're playing currently doesn't crank up the fan/heat enough to get a good hit from the vent.
You'd better be over 60 lbs to use that steam deck. And don't even think about putting rocks in your pockets to seem heavier because little girl, that'll be like huffin 5 maccanudos.
No <3
The rumor is that the fumes are carcinogenic, so I ain't trying regardless how good it could smell
Meh, I've done worse
gaben says: “smell that stank, idgaf”
My deck smells fishy
well lucky for you it don't smell good no more
I have noticed that it starts to smell like normal warm electronics over time. Kinda disappointing to be honest
Oh damn. I guess back to sharpies then.
Sniffing the deck is baby town frolics...if you're a real man, taste a switch cartridge
RIP me
Steam dick