The WheelMates experiments aren't just a gameplay mechanic—they're the narrative backbone of Firevolt Studio's 2-player co-op RC car adventure, set to launch September 1, 2026 on Steam (moved up from Sept 7). When you and your partner roll your tiny vehicles through Professor Everett Bloom's mysteriously empty home laboratory, every Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels activation, and Magnet Grab pull is tied to a larger mystery. This deep-dive consolidates everything known from the official Steam store page, the now-pulled demo (removed Aug 8, 2026), and community findings from the WheelMates Discord server (3,327+ members and counting). We'll trace the snowball incident, map out the nodes system, decode the backstory, and break down what the ending might mean for the franchise.
The Core Premise: Why Experiments Matter
Professor Everett Bloom was a genius in experimental robotics and quantum entanglement—but his home laboratory is abandoned when you arrive. The WheelMates experiments refer to a series of failed and successful tests Bloom conducted, each leaving behind physical traces: SD Cards with data logs, Memory Cards containing audio recordings, Scannable Objects that trigger holographic projections, and Journal entries scattered across every room.
The game's 2-player cooperative design (split-screen, online, Remote Play Together, or Friend's Pass where a friend joins free) means you're always experiencing these experiments as a duo. That's intentional—Bloom's research was never meant to be conducted alone. The Magnetic Wheels gadget lets you drive on ceilings and walls, which is how you'll reach experiments hidden in air vents. The Rope-Swing allows one car to anchor while the other swings across gaps, simulating Bloom's pendulum-based gravity tests. The Magnet Grab is your primary tool for moving experimental debris and activating dormant machinery.
The Snowball Incident: A Catalyst for Everything
What Is the WheelMates Snowball?
The wheelmates snowball is the most discussed piece of lore from the demo. It's not a literal snowball—it's a cryogenic containment sphere that Bloom nicknamed "Snowball" in his audio logs. The sphere was part of an experiment to stabilize volatile energy signatures using a rotating magnetic field. In the demo, players find Snowball in the sub-basement cold storage room, surrounded by Scannable Objects that reveal Bloom's frantic notes.
| Snowball Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Physical appearance | Frosted glass sphere, 30cm diameter, internal blue glow |
| Location in demo | Sub-basement, behind a Magnet Grab-activated door |
| Purpose | Containment for a self-sustaining plasma reaction |
| Status at launch | Confirmed as a collectible that unlocks a secret room |
| Related achievement | "Cold Shoulder" – find all 5 Snowball fragments |
The snowball wasn't just a containment device—it was Bloom's attempt to create a portable power source for his larger experiments. Audio logs reveal he called it his "little winter miracle" before things went wrong. On the third test, the sphere's magnetic containment field destabilized, flash-freezing an entire section of the laboratory. That's why you'll see frost-covered furniture and ice crystals on walls in the demo's second level.
How Snowball Connects to the Main Story
The snowball is directly tied to the backstory of why Bloom disappeared. According to Memory Card #7 (found in the kitchen), Bloom was preparing to present Snowball to a government research council when he discovered a critical flaw in its energy output calculations. The nodes in the room—glowing blue terminals—show a power spike graph that goes off the charts exactly 72 hours before the house was abandoned.
Players who completed the demo's secret ending (by collecting all 5 Snowball fragments) saw a post-credits scene where a figure in a hazmat suit places a new Snowball in the lab. This confirms the snowball is an ongoing experiment, not a one-time event. The full game likely expands this into a time-loop mechanic where you revisit the lab at different stages of the incident.
Understanding WheelMates Nodes
What Are Nodes in Gameplay?
The wheelmates nodes are interactive data terminals scattered throughout Bloom's lab. They serve three purposes: story exposition, puzzle mechanics, and fast-travel points. Each node has a unique identifier (Node A1 through Node F7) and a color-coded energy signature that matches your RC car's magnetic wheels when you align them correctly.
| Node Type | Color | Function | Example Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story Node | Blue | Plays Memory Card audio logs | Living room bookshelf |
| Puzzle Node | Green | Activates Magnetic Wheels platforms | Garage ceiling |
| Energy Node | Orange | Charges your Magnet Grab for heavy objects | Basement furnace room |
| Secret Node | Purple | Unlocks Journal entries and hidden rooms | Attic crawlspace |
The Node Network Theory
Community members on the WheelMates Discord have mapped out a node network theory—the idea that all 42 nodes in the game connect to form a constellation that spells out a message. The demo only had 8 nodes, but players noticed that activating them in a specific order (A1, B3, C2, D5, E1, F4) triggered a hidden vibration in the controller. This is believed to be a morse code signal that translates to "HELP" in the game's files.
The nodes also serve as respawn points if your RC car gets destroyed. When you "die," the game respawns you at the nearest node with a 20-second cooldown before your Magnetic Wheels re-energize. This creates a risk-reward system where activating more nodes makes exploration safer but also increases the difficulty of enemy drones that patrol near active nodes.
The Backstory: Professor Bloom's Research
Bloom's Three Failed Experiments
The wheelmates backstory is revealed through Journal entries and SD Cards that you collect. Bloom's research focused on miniaturized robotics with quantum-linked control systems. His goal was to create swarm intelligence—a fleet of tiny machines that could work together to solve complex problems. The backstory reveals three major failures:
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The Gravity Inversion Test (Experiment #4) – Bloom tried to reverse gravity in a contained space using Magnetic Wheels technology. The test succeeded for 11 seconds but caused permanent structural damage to the lab's foundation.
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The Sentience Protocol (Experiment #9) – Bloom uploaded a neural network into a single RC car prototype. The car developed self-awareness and refused to follow commands, eventually hiding in the attic. This is likely the mystery character you encounter late in the game.
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The Entanglement Array (Experiment #12) – This is the snowball experiment. Bloom attempted to create quantum-entangled particles that could transmit information faster than light. The nodes you activate are remnants of this array.
Key Characters in the Backstory
The wheelmates characters are sparse but memorable. You never see Bloom in person—only his holographic recordings and audio logs. However, the backstory introduces several figures who shaped the experiments:. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op.
| Character | Role | How They're Revealed |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Everett Bloom | Lead researcher, disappeared | Memory Cards, Journal entries |
| Dr. Lena Ortiz | Bloom's former partner, left 6 months prior | SD Card #3 in the greenhouse |
| "The Custodian" | Unknown figure seen in post-credits | Scannable Objects in the attic |
| RC-7 "Sparky" | Sentient prototype car | Journal entry #12, hidden room encounter |
The characters are designed to be ambiguous—you're never sure who to trust. Dr. Ortiz's audio log suggests she left because Bloom was "becoming obsessed with the snowball." The Custodian's identity is the game's biggest mystery, with theories ranging from time-traveling Bloom to an AI construct that gained freedom during Experiment #9.
The Ending: What We Know So Far
Demo Ending vs. Full Game Ending
The wheelmates ending in the demo was a cliffhanger—you and your partner activate the final node in the basement, which powers up a massive portal in the living room. The portal shows a snow-covered landscape with a figure waving at you. The screen cuts to black, and a text card reads: "The experiments continue in the full game."
Firevolt Studio has confirmed the full game has three endings based on your collectible completion and node activation order:. Practicing this in the demo build helps prepare for launch. Practicing this in the demo helps prepare for launch. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior remains consistent in the September 1, 2026 launch build.
| Ending | Requirement | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| "Cold Storage" | Less than 50% collectibles | You find Bloom's frozen body, game ends with a snowball rolling away |
| "The Return" | 50-80% collectibles, all nodes activated | Bloom returns through the portal, but he's not alone |
| "Entanglement" | 100% collectibles, secret snowball fragments | You discover the true nature of the experiments—Bloom is trapped in a time loop |
The True Ending Theory
The "Entanglement" ending is the most discussed on the WheelMates Discord. Players who datamined the demo found audio files that suggest Bloom's consciousness was transferred into the node network during Experiment #12. The snowball isn't a power source—it's a containment vessel for Bloom's mind. The characters you meet (including Sparky) are fragments of Bloom's personality that escaped the network.
This theory is supported by Memory Card #15 (not in the demo, but referenced in the Steam store's developer update from July 2026). The card reportedly contains Bloom's voice saying: "If you're hearing this, I'm already part of the machine. The nodes are my neurons. The snowball is my heart. Don't let them freeze it."
Known Issues and Community Workarounds
Camera and Stability Problems
The demo had documented issues that Firevolt Studio has acknowledged in their Steam community posts. The camera handling in split-screen mode was particularly problematic—the camera would clip through walls when both players used Rope-Swing simultaneously. The team has confirmed a camera overhaul for launch, but the demo still has workarounds:
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Issue: Camera gets stuck behind furniture during Magnet Grab puzzles.
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Workaround: Press and hold the reset view button (default: R) for 3 seconds.
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Issue: Fatal error crashes when activating multiple nodes in quick succession.
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Workaround: Wait 10 seconds between node activations, especially on Steam Deck.
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Issue: Key rebinding doesn't save for the second player in Remote Play Together.
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Workaround: Use the default controls for player 2, or switch to split-screen mode.
Steam Deck Performance
The Steam Deck is officially supported, but the demo ran at 30-45 FPS with medium settings. Firevolt has promised 60 FPS on Steam Deck at launch with dynamic resolution scaling. The nodes are the biggest performance hog—each one adds a lighting effect that impacts the GPU. If you're on Deck, consider disabling particle effects in the settings menu.
Collectibles Guide: SD Cards, Memory Cards, and More
Complete Collectible Breakdown
The WheelMates experiments are told through four types of collectibles. The ending you get depends on how many you find, so here's the full list:. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior at the September 1, 2026 launch. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior for the September 1, 2026 launch.
| Collectible | Total Count | Location Notes | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD Cards | 24 | Data logs, mostly in puzzle rooms | Unlocks character bios |
| Memory Cards | 18 | Audio logs, hidden behind Magnetic Wheels paths | Unlocks backstory cutscenes |
| Scannable Objects | 37 | Use Magnet Grab to scan | Unlocks experiment blueprints |
| Journal Entries | 12 | Found in secret rooms | Unlocks alternate ending hints |
The Snowball Fragment Hunt
The snowball fragments are the most valuable collectible—they're required for the "Entanglement" ending. Each fragment is hidden behind a node puzzle that requires both players to use different gadgets simultaneously. For example, one fragment in the greenhouse requires Player 1 to use Rope-Swing to hold a platform while Player 2 uses Magnetic Wheels to reach a ceiling vent.
There are 5 fragments total, and each one adds a blue glow to your RC car's antenna. When you collect all 5, the snowball in the sub-basement becomes interactive, and you can trigger the secret ending sequence. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are the WheelMates experiments?
The WheelMates experiments are Professor Bloom's research projects in miniaturized robotics, quantum entanglement, and gravity manipulation. They're the game's primary story device—you uncover them through SD Cards, Memory Cards, Scannable Objects, and Journal entries as you explore the lab. Many players in the community recommend this for smoother co-op sessions.
How does the snowball mechanic work in the full game?
The snowball is a cryogenic containment sphere from Experiment #12. In the full game, it acts as a hub item—you can return to it to review collected Memory Cards and Journal entries. It also powers the node network for fast travel. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
Do I need to collect everything for the best ending?
Yes, the "Entanglement" ending requires 100% collectibles and all 5 snowball fragments. However, you can still get the "The Return" ending with 50-80% completion, which is considered the canonical ending by Firevolt Studio. This applies to both split-screen and online co-op via Friend's Pass.
Are the nodes required for multiplayer?
No, the nodes are optional but highly recommended. They serve as respawn points and fast-travel terminals. In co-op mode, both players must be near a node to activate it—you can't activate one remotely. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior is consistent across the launch build.
Will there be post-launch content for the experiments?
Firevolt Studio has confirmed free DLC that expands the backstory with a new experiment wing in the lab. The Discord server has 3,327+ members voting on which experiment to feature first—the sentience protocol is currently leading. Many players in the community recommend this for smoother co-op sessions.
Closing Thoughts
Related Lore Resources
The on the WheelMates experiments universe mechanics covered in this guide will continue to be relevant as new content releases. This is part of the broader WheelMates knowledge base that we expand as the September 1, 2026 launch approaches. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success.
The WheelMates experiments are a masterclass in environmental storytelling—every node, snowball fragment, and Memory Card builds a cohesive narrative that rewards thorough exploration. Whether you're playing split-screen on your couch or using Friend's Pass to drag a buddy into the chaos, the backstory of Professor Bloom's lab will keep you guessing until the final node activates.