Steam Deck owners appear to be addicted to inhaling the device’s exhaust fumes – because it smells like nostalgia – and won’t stop even after Valve asked them to.
Those who don’t own a Steam Deck might not know, but there is a meme on social media about smelling the exhaust vent on the gaming device, which fans say makes them feel nostalgic for older consoles.
Late last year one fan even asked Valve’s customer support if it’s safe to inhale the exhaust fumes, to which the Steam Deck manufacturer very clearly said ‘no’.
Now, seven months later, it’s clear Valve’s warning has done little to stop fans from sniffing the fumes, as they admit they just can’t stop.
A Reddit post asked the Steam Deck subreddit, ‘Anyone still inhaling the Steam Deck fumes?’
The post has been upvoted over 800 times, and the replies confirm that a lot of people are still sniffing the fumes.
‘I do it every time I turn my SD on. Still smells like it’s factory,’ says Prestigious Cry.
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‘So good to see people still enjoying the good smells. Mine is about two years old, but I can still enjoy the nice smells, although they are a bit tame by now,’ says Dodancs, the original poster.
‘I can proudly say that it has been over 18 months from my previous relapse,’ Yanninbo says.
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It’s hard to tell if the commentors are joking or not, but some seem to show signs of addiction in their responses.
Some fans also acknowledge the long-running meme, which goes back to 2022, and Valve’s response from last year, asking them to stop, although they don’t seem willing to.
When asked last year, if inhaling the fumes is safe or not, Valve replied:
‘As with all electronics, it’s generally not recommended you inhale the exhaust fumes on your device. While there are no safety concerns with general usage, directly inhaling the device’s vent fumes should be avoided.
We understand that it may be a meme, but please refrain from this behaviour for the safety of your health.’
Although Valve didn’t say if it was actively bad for you, it also didn’t reveal what the fumes actually are.
Either way, it’s probably best not to inhale anything unless you know exactly what it is, especially if it came out the back of an electronic device.
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