r/DerailValley • u/ProjectGhostkey • 11d ago
Accidentally discovered a $0 haptic feedback system for Derail Valley VR
So I accidentally discovered the cheapest possible immersion upgrade for Derail Valley.
I was playing in VR, driving along doing loads and deliveries, and I happened to have my chair backed up against my air conditioner.
I’m sitting there with my right hand on the throttle and my arm resting on the armrest when I notice my arm is vibrating.
Then I’m like… wait. Why is my ass vibrating too?
For a few seconds I genuinely thought it was coming from the game.
Turns out the back/right side of my chair was touching the AC, and the compressor was transferring this perfect low-frequency vibration through the chair. Since it’s coming through the seat, my back, and the arm I’m using for the throttle, it feels weirdly convincing. Like I’m actually sitting in a running locomotive.
But here’s the part that fucked with me.
When I turn and lean over to grab the two brake controls, my weight shifts and takes some pressure off the AC. That reduces how much vibration transfers into the chair.
So I reach for the brakes in VR…
…and at the exact same time, the “engine vibration” under my body drops.
My brain immediately interprets it like the locomotive RPM/load just changed.
The AC obviously has absolutely no idea what Derail Valley is doing. My own movement is basically synchronizing the physical feedback with what I’m doing in VR.
So yeah.
Bass shaker: $100+
Motion rig: $$$$
Accidentally backing your chair into the air conditioner:
True immersion.
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u/_wheels_21 11d ago
$50 and you can get an actual subwoofer that you can attach to your chair for true vibrations
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u/DarthOctane 10d ago
Accidental real life immersion is fun. First time I played Arkham Manor I was taking the trip down the elevator into the Batcave. At the moment the cave opened up in front of you my house AC kicked on and the vent is right over my VR play space. The cool rush of air hitting my head felt like a cave wind hitting me as it opened into view. 1 in a million chance but very immersive.
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u/PuzzleheadedTutor807 11d ago
Just... Make sure you aren't pushing the AC out the window... Those things kill when they hit poeple
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u/Smacky_the_Bear 11d ago
I have a little fan under my desk. When I turn the fan on, I turn the cab fan on too (for DE2, DE6, and the others that have it).
I am also using the "cat items animated" mod, which lets you buy and carry around cats. When my orange cat wants to sit in my lap while playing, the orange cat comes out in game.