You’ve probably heard it before—the famous Wilhelm scream. It’s the quirky sound that pops up in movies and games, often used as a fun inside joke by sound designers. Recently, Valve added a twist to this classic by including it in their new Steam Controller. If you drop the controller just right, it lets out a Wilhelm scream!
This amusing discovery popped up on Reddit. It seems that hardware reviewers are usually careful with their tech, which might explain why it took a while for someone to notice. A Reddit user shared a video showing the scream in action, and PC Gamer backed it up, making it clear that this isn’t just a one-off prank.
Interestingly, the controller doesn’t scream every time you drop it. It appears to have a sort of cooldown period, and it only screams depending on how high you drop it. So, if you set it down quickly during a game, you won’t have to worry about it yelling at you.
This isn’t Valve’s first foray into funny sounds. The original Steam Controller could be modded to play songs, but now they’ve offered something more spontaneous right out of the box. Imagine if the upcoming Steam Machine has a similar feature—though, given its expected price tag, you’ll likely want to handle it with care!
Sound designers have used the Wilhelm scream for decades, dating back to films like “Star Wars.” This legacy only adds to the fun of finding it in a new gadget. Users often share their reactions on social media, making it a trend of its own. Many find it hilarious, turning this quirky addition into a meme worth sharing.
As users continue to explore and push the boundaries of interactive technology, we can expect even more surprises from devices like the Steam Controller. With advancements in sound technology and gaming experiences, who knows what kind of playful features we’ll see next?
