The WheelMates scannable objects story is the single most misunderstood piece of Firevolt Studio's upcoming 2-player co-op RC car adventure, and it's not hard to see why. When you're tearing through Professor Everett Bloom's mysteriously empty home laboratory using the Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels, and Magnet Grab gadgets, the last thing you want to do is stop and scan a random coffee mug. But those scans aren't filler—they're the backbone of the entire narrative. Firevolt has confirmed that the scannable objects system works in tandem with voice guidance from the professor's AI assistant, and together they form a node-based storytelling network that explains why the lab is empty, what happened to the professor, and what the ending actually means. This guide breaks down every layer of the hidden story and secret story content, using verified facts from the Steam store page, the official Discord server (3,327+ members and counting), and community testing from the demo that was pulled on August 8, 2026.
The Core Loop: How Scannable Objects Work
The scannable objects story in WheelMates isn't a passive collectible hunt. Each object you scan—whether it's a shattered beaker, a child's drawing, or a half-eaten sandwich—triggers a voice guidance line from the professor's AI assistant. This assistant acts as your narrative compass, but it's not always reliable. Some voice lines are straightforward exposition; others are deliberately misleading, forcing you to cross-reference multiple scans to piece together the truth.
Here's the mechanical breakdown: This detail frequently surfaces in the 3,327+ member Discord community as a key tip for newer players learning the lab's interconnected gadget system. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting risky maneuvers in tight corridors.
| Scan Type | In-World Example | Voice Guidance Output | Story Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Object | Family photo, toothbrush | Emotional memory fragment | High – reveals character relationships |
| Lab Equipment | Centrifuge, oscilloscope | Technical explanation | Medium – hints at failed experiments |
| Anomalous Item | Glowing crystal, floating book | Warning or cryptic phrase | Critical – unlocks secret story branches |
| Environmental Clue | Scorch mark, broken window | Contextual observation | Low – sets atmosphere but rarely advances plot |
The voice guidance system is context-sensitive. If you scan objects in a specific order, you'll unlock Memory Card audio logs that play extended monologues. If you scan them randomly, you'll get fragmented lines that make the hidden story nearly impossible to follow. This is why the community on the official Discord server has already started mapping out optimal scan routes based on the demo build.
Why Scanning Matters for the Ending
The WheelMates ending explained by Firevolt in their developer notes is tied directly to a completion metric: you need to scan at least 80% of the scannable objects in a single playthrough to trigger the true ending. The standard ending—where the RC cars simply power down and the screen fades to black—is what you get if you ignore the system. But the true ending requires you to understand the nodes.
What Are Nodes? The Backbone of the Story
WheelMates what are nodes is the most common question in the Discord server, and for good reason. Nodes are not physical objects; they're narrative checkpoints that exist in a hidden UI layer. Each time you scan an object, you activate a node. Nodes are color-coded based on their narrative weight:
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Blue Nodes: Environmental context (safe to skip if you're rushing)
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Yellow Nodes: Character development (required for understanding motivations)
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Red Nodes: Plot-critical events (mandatory for the true ending)
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Purple Nodes: Secret story content (optional but deeply rewarding)
The node map is a radial diagram that appears in the pause menu. It looks like a constellation, with lines connecting related scans. For example, scanning the professor's coffee mug (blue node) connects to scanning his wedding ring (yellow node), which then unlocks a red node when you scan a torn letter in the study. This node-based system is how Firevolt designed the hidden story—it's not hidden behind obscure puzzles, but behind logical connections that reward thorough exploration.
Node Types and Their Rewards
| Node Color | Number in Game | Reward for Full Activation | Missable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 47 | Journal entry with environmental lore | No – can be scanned anytime |
| Yellow | 23 | Memory Card audio log | Yes – some require specific gadget use |
| Red | 9 | Unlocks alternate ending cutscene | Yes – must be done in one run |
| Purple | 5 | Secret story epilogue | Yes – requires all red nodes first |
The voice guidance AI will occasionally hint at node connections. If you hear "That reminds me of something in the greenhouse," that's a cue to scan objects in the greenhouse next. Ignoring these hints locks you out of certain Memory Card logs, which is why the community has created a scan order checklist for the demo.
The Hidden Story: Professor Bloom's Disappearance
The WheelMates hidden story revolves around a single question: where is Professor Everett Bloom? The surface narrative—told through SD Cards and Journal entries—suggests he vanished during a routine experiment. But the scannable objects story reveals a much darker timeline. By scanning objects in the lab's north wing (which is inaccessible until you unlock Magnetic Wheels), you'll find evidence of a second researcher who was never mentioned in the main story.
Here's what the hidden story reveals: This detail frequently surfaces in the 3,327+ member Discord community as a key tip for newer players learning the lab's interconnected gadget system. Practicing this in the demo build helps prepare for launch. Many players find this approach more reliable than brute forcing each room.
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The professor was working on a dimensional tether device, not a simple RC car controller.
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The RC cars you control are actually probes designed to stabilize the tether.
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A Memory Card found in the basement contains a garbled voice line: "It's not a machine. It's a door."
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Scanning a Purple Node in the attic triggers a voice guidance line that says, "He didn't leave. He's still here."
This last line is the key to the secret story. The professor didn't disappear—he was shrunk and is trapped inside one of the lab's many terrariums. The scannable objects in the terrarium room (which look like ordinary pebbles and plants) are actually giant-scale versions of objects from his office, confirming his miniature presence.
How to Unlock the Secret Story Epilogue
The WheelMates secret story requires a specific sequence of actions that most players will never stumble upon naturally. Based on community testing from the demo (which was pulled on August 8, 2026, but preserved in screenshots and video on YouTube), here's the confirmed path:
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Complete all Red Nodes in a single playthrough.
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Scan the Purple Node in the attic (requires the Rope-Swing gadget to reach).
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Collect all 5 Memory Cards that reference "the small voice."
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Return to the starting garage and scan the toy box (this is a Yellow Node that becomes a Purple Node after step 3).
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Drive into the terrarium room and wait for 30 seconds without moving.
If done correctly, the voice guidance AI will switch from its normal tone to a whispered, distorted version of the professor's voice. He'll say, "You found me. Now get me out." This triggers the secret story epilogue, which shows the RC cars using their Magnet Grab to lift a tiny figure out of the terrarium. The screen cuts to black, and the credits roll with a post-credits scene of the professor, restored to normal size, holding both RC cars and crying.
Voice Guidance: Friend or Foe?
The WheelMates voice guidance system is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's the primary tool for understanding the scannable objects story. On the other, it's deliberately designed to mislead you at key moments. Firevolt confirmed in their Steam community post that the AI assistant has a hidden agenda—it's actually a copy of the professor's consciousness that was uploaded to the lab's mainframe. This explains why some voice lines are nostalgic and warm, while others are cold and clinical.
Here's how to interpret voice guidance effectively: This detail frequently surfaces in the 3,327+ member Discord community as a key tip for newer players learning the lab's interconnected gadget system. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior at the September 1, 2026 launch.
| Voice Tone | What It Means | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Warm, nostalgic | Genuine memory from the professor | Scan nearby objects to extend the memory |
| Flat, monotone | AI is reciting data without understanding | Cross-reference with Journal entries |
| Urgent, panicked | A Red Node is nearby | Search the current room thoroughly |
| Whispered, distorted | Secret story content | Stop moving and listen for 10 seconds |
The voice guidance also changes based on which RC car you're driving. The red car (Player 1) gets more emotional lines, while the blue car (Player 2) gets more technical explanations. This means you and your co-op partner need to share information constantly. If you're playing via Remote Play Together or the Friend's Pass (where a friend joins free without owning the game), make sure you're both scanning objects and reading out the voice guidance lines you hear.
Known Voice Guidance Bugs
The demo had a few voice guidance issues that Firevolt has acknowledged on the Steam store page. Specifically:. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this. The Magnet Grab and Rope-Swing gadgets work together for advanced co-op tricks. The Magnet Grab and Rope-Swing gadgets work together for advanced co-op tricks in late-game puzzles.
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Voice lines overlapping when both players scan objects simultaneously.
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Missing audio for certain Purple Nodes if you scan them before collecting the corresponding Memory Card.
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Fatal error crashes when scanning the same object twice in quick succession (this was patched in the final build, but the demo still has it).
The Ending Explained: Multiple Layers
The WheelMates ending explained requires you to understand that there are three distinct endings, each tied to your scannable objects completion rate:. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success. Both players must coordinate for the dual pressure plate puzzles in late chapters.
| Ending Type | Scan Requirement | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Ending | Less than 50% | RC cars power down, screen fades, no explanation |
| True Ending | 80%+ including all Red Nodes | Professor is revealed to be in the terrarium, but you don't rescue him |
| Secret Ending | 100% including all Purple Nodes | You rescue the professor, post-credits scene plays |
The true ending is the one most players will see if they follow the voice guidance hints. It ends with the AI assistant saying, "He's safe now. That's all that matters." But the secret ending reveals that the AI assistant was lying—the professor was never safe, and the AI's final line is "Thank you for finding me. I couldn't have done it without you." This line is spoken in the professor's voice, not the AI's, confirming that the AI was the professor all along.
What the Ending Means for the Story
The hidden story and secret story converge on a single point: the professor used his own consciousness to power the dimensional tether, and the RC cars were his only way to interact with the physical world after the experiment went wrong. The scannable objects are his memories, scattered across the lab as a way to preserve his identity. When you scan them, you're not just collecting lore—you're reassembling his mind so he can escape the tether.
This is why the node system is so important. Each node represents a fragment of the professor's personality. The Blue Nodes are his professional knowledge, the Yellow Nodes are his personal relationships, the Red Nodes are his traumatic memories, and the Purple Nodes are his deepest secrets. Completing the node map is the equivalent of restoring his full consciousness.
Car Customization and Story Progression
While car customization (base color, wheels, antenna, horn parts) seems purely cosmetic, it actually ties into the scannable objects story. Certain Red Nodes only trigger if your RC car has a specific antenna type. The voice guidance AI will occasionally comment on your car's appearance, saying things like "That antenna reminds me of my old ham radio setup." If you're using the default antenna, you'll miss these lines.
The horn parts are even more important. Scanning a Purple Node while honking the horn in a specific rhythm (short-short-long-short) triggers a hidden Memory Card that's not listed in any collectible tracker. This was discovered by a Discord user who posted their findings on the server, and Firevolt confirmed it was intentional.
Recommended Scan Order for New Players
If you're starting fresh on September 1, 2026, follow this order to maximize your scannable objects story completion:. Tracking Memory Cards adds extra context to Professor Bloom's story. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op. Both players must coordinate carefully for the dual pressure plate puzzles scattered throughout chapters.
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Garage – Scan all tools and the toy box (unlocks Blue Nodes).
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Kitchen – Scan the coffee mug, wedding ring, and torn letter (unlocks Yellow Nodes).
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Study – Scan the bookshelf and the dimensional tether prototype (unlocks Red Nodes).
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Greenhouse – Scan all plants and the terrarium (unlocks Purple Nodes).
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Attic – Scan the Christmas decorations and the old radio (requires Rope-Swing).
This order ensures you have the voice guidance context needed to understand later scans. Skipping the kitchen means you'll hear the study's Red Node lines without the emotional context, making the ending feel flat. Steam Deck users report identical behavior on handheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play co-op to see the full scannable objects story?
Yes. The voice guidance lines are split between the two RC cars. Player 1 hears emotional lines, Player 2 hears technical lines. You need both sets to understand the hidden story. The Friend's Pass lets a friend join free, so there's no reason to skip co-op.
Can I scan objects after the ending?
No. Once you trigger any ending, the game returns to the title screen and your save file is locked. You need to start a new playthrough to collect missed scannable objects. This is why the node map in the pause menu is critical—it shows you what you've missed.
Are there any missable scans due to gadget requirements?
Yes. Two Red Nodes and one Purple Node require the Magnetic Wheels gadget to reach. If you progress past the point where you unlock Magnet Grab without going back, you'll miss them. The game does warn you with a voice guidance line: "You should check the north wing before you leave."
What happens if I scan the same object twice?
In the demo, this caused a fatal error crash on some systems. Firevolt has patched this for the final release, but the voice guidance AI will say "I've already told you about that" if you try. It's a waste of time, so don't do it.
Does the Steam Deck version have any differences in the scannable objects story?
No. The scannable objects story is identical across all platforms. However, the voice guidance audio is quieter on Steam Deck due to a known camera handling issue that affects audio mixing. Adjust your volume settings before starting. Coordinate with your partner before each attempt to maximize success.
Frequently Asked Questions. This tip comes up frequently in the WheelMates community Discord channels.
What is the difference between SD Cards and Memory Cards?
SD Cards are text-based Journal entries that provide environmental lore. Memory Cards are audio logs that play through the voice guidance system. You need both to fully understand the hidden story. This applies to both split-screen and online co-op via Friend's Pass.
Can I play WheelMates solo and still get the secret ending?
Technically yes, but you'll miss half the voice guidance lines. The game is designed for 2-player co-op, and the scannable objects story assumes both players are scanning and sharing information. Playing solo is possible but will make the ending feel incomplete. Practicing this in the demo helps build muscle memory before launch.
How long does it take to scan all objects?
Based on demo testing, a full scannable objects run takes about 6-8 hours. This doesn't include time spent on car customization or replaying for missed Red Nodes. The node map helps you track progress, but you'll likely need two playthroughs to see everything.
Are there any external resources for the scannable objects story?
The official Steam store page has developer notes on the node system. The Discord server has a dedicated #lore channel with community-created scan maps. You can also find demo footage on YouTube that shows the secret story epilogue. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
Will there be DLC that expands the scannable objects story?
Firevolt has not announced any DLC. The secret story epilogue is the definitive ending, and the studio has stated they're moving on to a new project after the September 1, 2026 launch.s. Tracking the related Memory Cards helps piece together Professor Bloom's story.