New web app can make Valve's Steam Controller drift across your desk like an RC car — web app drives the gamepad using its rumble motors

The motors are being used exactly as designed. There's no difference between this and playing a racing game that's constantly rumbling the controller.

The only wear and tear happening are the contact points with the table, which will slowly wear down the plastic and table surface.

Average lifetime for consumer brushless motors seems to be ~10,000 hours, so far from "the heat death of the universe". Regardless, I'm not sure why you're being so dismissive and rude about it.

They're brushless motors. That's like being worried about heat death of universe. They will easily outlive you regardless of use.

Are rumble motors not physical machines that wear out with use? Or is there some new tech that I'm unaware of?

Why? Might wear out your desk, but motors should be fine.


Both iPhones and Pixel phones have shipped with LRAs (Linear Resonant Actuator) instead of rotating mass for quite a while now. An iPhone's taptic engine is basically the same technology.

I'm not sure how many phones have multiple, but I think it's common on gaming phones. That being said, I don't remember the phone in Pantheon having to steer, so one haptic motor might be enough if they got lucky.

The steam controller has 4 different "HD" vibration motors, I'm assuming a phone has a single motor. So while it is possible to move a device this way, it wouldn't work as well or be very controllable on a phone.

Wow I was about to comment this

You're going to have to wait until 2030 for that dream

this is how Valve offsets the Steam sale discounts. They're a RC car company that also happens to sell video games to get you in the door.

You actually need 4, two to race each other, and two to control them.

Same, any video longer than a few seconds like a full minute to start playing and then buffers constantly. 250Mbit internet.

It actively blocks me for having a VPN on

Sometimes it takes longer to load. And there are times, when the site is outright broken. So no, you are probably not the only one. I might depend on the time and day you use and where you are located. I usually post both links, to YouTube directly and to Invidious. But didn't took the time to do so here, as I figured its not that important.

Gamer with 2307 unplayed games in their Steam library:

"I'm *bored*... Let's see if my Steam Controller can bake cookies!

yes, also someone reverse engineered the firmware and figured out the hidden commands that are used to do that, and made it available so you can use it to play anything you want: https://github.com/Pixel1011/SteamHapticsPlayer

Oh, I just noticed something. Just started Steam and tried it again and again, but it wouldn't scream. But Steam was running in the background. Turns out, Steam client has to be in focus on the screen too. At least that was the case for me. First try it screamed. Also quite impressive if you think about it, as there are no speakers.

oh that could be it.

now i will have to try it again 🥲

I think it needs a swing and fly for a bit before it gets triggered? Or yours just don't get scared as quickly, lol. BTW Steam HAS to be open and connected to the controller at the time you try this. Maybe that is the solution to "your problem :p"?

too safe

i am not the careful type xd. i have accidentally dropped it on hard floor, yet, nothing. maybe i have to be in game or something? idk

If it has been triggered once, then it enters into a "cooldown" period of seconds or minutes until it can scream again. But if you never go that in the first place, then maybe you do it too safe. Don't blame ya for that. My recommendation is to go to your bed, a large surface I assume, and then throw it at a distance of 1 meter away (onto the bed).

You have to love all the enthusiasts coming together to find the best ways to not play games with their controllers.

Am I the only person for whom invidious takes like 12 years to load? I know lots of people use it so it makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong... 😅

idk why but i has yet to be able to get the Wihelm scream out of mine.

now I need 2 steam controllers. One to drive around, and one to control the one driving around

LOL this is hilarious! So we got so far:

• play music: https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=T0RHXColYXU

• Wilhelm scream: https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=Mc22cAIIP4g

• remote control: https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=g-8S8zk4dn8

So wait, the sequence in Pantheon where they move a phone by hacking its vibration motors isn’t that far-fetched?

Even Steam controllers can't escape controller drift 😔

Driving mine off the desk so I can hear the silly scream sound

"Hey, you guys wanna do IRL mario kart? I just got the set."

"But there'e 3 of us and it only came with mario and luigi."

"Don't worry guys, I got this."

*puts Steam Controller on the starting line*

There can only be one input device.

Now we can all be Psycho Mantis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyxOAItutHA

http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/W/walking-drives.html

Wow, this would be great for mixing salads! 🤣

Finally!

This would wear out the motors a lot, right? Not that people shouldn't do what they want with their stuff, I would just be worried about wear and tear.