Discover the Steam Controller's hidden Wilhelm scream easter egg

Owners of the Steam Controller have discovered a hidden feature that Valve apparently included as a joke. The controller can play the famous Wilhelm scream when dropped onto a soft surface, even though it has no built-in speakers.

A Reddit user named Rf3D19 first spotted it. He says the easter egg activates while using the Steam Controller in Steam Big Picture mode. He later shared a video, noting that the effect doesn't happen right away—sometimes it takes about a minute after the drop.

The sound isn't guaranteed and is fairly faint. To trigger it, users recommend dropping the controller onto a soft surface like a bed or pillow. This scenario seems to be the most reliable way to set it off.

What makes this especially odd is that the Steam Controller has no conventional speakers. Instead, Valve uses haptic motors that produce brief audio effects through case vibration. This tech has been used in other gaming devices before, but with the Steam Controller, the developers apparently turned it into an inside joke for fans.

Hidden details like this have long been part of Valve's identity. The company often sprinkles unexpected touches into its hardware and software that users discover years later. And it's these kinds of finds that make Valve's gear cult favorites among gamers.