DBrand released their newly updated Project Killswitch case for the Steam Deck. You can buy it here.
We’ve got a few updates for you pertaining to Project Killswitch, including an important update on compatibility with Valve’s Docking Station for the Steam Deck. Since there are multiple topics to cover, we’ll start with the easy ones.
For starters, an update on our non-magnetic replacements: we’ve finalized the design for the mechanical interlock and have received our first production samples. At a glance, it might not look like much has changed:
Believe it or not, this has been re-tooled.
Once the Kickstand is detached, you’ll find our new attachment mechanism. It’s called a “bayonet style mount”, similar in principle to a camera lens.
Twist to lock with a satisfying bump when it locks in place.
As an added bonus, switching to this attachment mechanism has made the case and the kickstand 10% lighter.
We also snuck one final improvement into the kickstand during this re-tooling process: the addition of four microSD card holders. Here’s a closer look at this new and improved Kickstand:
Multi-carders rejoice.
Aside from these two developments, no news is good news on the replacement front. We’re still on track for shipments to make their way out in January.
This re-tooling timeline has also given us an opportunity to do a bit of housekeeping. For instance…
Remember how we told everybody who placed a reservation that they were getting free Portal Stick Grips? That didn’t happen. Sorry about that.
Good news, though: the re-tooling process has given us plenty of time to make more Portal Stick Grips. If all three of the following statements are true, you can expect your replacement Case + Kickstand to include a set of Portal Stick Grips.
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You placed a $3 reservation.
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You subsequently ordered a Project Killswitch case.
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You did not receive Portal Stick Grips with your order.
No action is required on your end to receive these. If you’re eligible, you’re getting them.
The promise has been fulfilled.
The remainder of this post is concerned with the official Docking Station for the Steam Deck. If you don’t own (or don’t plan to own) the official Dock, you can safely close the tab. Let’s get started.
In case you weren’t aware, the official Docking Station is proving problematic for those who own Steam Deck cases. That includes our Killswitch case, which has been an understandable source of disappointment for some users.
There are two attributes of the Dock which are causing issues. One of these issues is minor, while the other is major. Let’s start with the minor one.
The base of the official Dock – the plastic groove into which you insert your Steam Deck – is form-fitted to the device. Any alteration to the shape or size of your Deck (for instance, adding a case) is going to impede that perfect fit.
There’s no way a case is fitting in here.
We classify this as a “minor issue” because the case still technically can rest in the base of the Dock. It just doesn’t seat perfectly. Here’s a photo showing what we mean:
Not perfect = not good enough.
While it’s admittedly not ideal, this issue does not prohibit the use of your Docking Station. The second issue, however, does.
The official Dock’s USB-C cable (the one that plugs directly into the Steam Deck) is also form-fitted to the shape of the naked device.
Give us one good reason for designing your USB-C cable like this, Gabe.
Though we intentionally made the USB-C cutout generously large (to accommodate as many USB-C cables as possible), it wasn’t enough for this form-fitted cable.
Considering the Dock needs a USB-C connection to function, the inability to plug in this hard-wired USB-C cable prohibits Docking Station usage. This definitional incompatibility is what we’d consider a “major issue,” and was ultimately what prompted us to investigate whether we could address both the Dock and USB-C fitment challenges as part of our re-tooling process.
We have since concluded that investigation and deemed it impossible (kind of). Allow us to explain.
The base of the Dock was pretty simple to evaluate. The most obvious way to make a case fit perfectly into the Dock is to add an enormous Dock-shaped cutout to the bottom of the case.
This would completely solve the problem… in the same way that adding an enormous iceberg-shaped cutout to the bottom of the Titanic would have prevented a collision.
Now, for the USB-C cutout, we ran some simulations on carving out enough space for the Dock’s form-fitted USB-C cable. We determined that doing so would be risky for structural integrity.
To put it simply: the front “bridge” on the case (pictured below) would need to be carved away to accommodate the Dock’s hardwired USB-C cable. In thinning out that section, the bridge would turn into a potential failure point during the injection molding process. Nobody wants that.
Structural integrity is important – just ask the Titanic.
So, that’s the unfortunate result. We can’t modify the case to make it compatible with the official Dock. What now?
Given how critical it is to ensure compatibility with the official Docking Station, we assembled a pair of external components to accomplish exactly that.
Solving the USB-C issue is easy: all it takes is a USB-C extender. Specifically, a 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 extender (formerly known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 – we know, it’s confusing). We sourced a compatible extender and placed an order for several tens of thousands.
The guys who sell these things just got a lot richer.
As for the base of the Dock, we developed a low-profile plastic “bucket” that serves as an adapter. It includes a set of friction-fit ribs to ensure the adapter will stay in place (unless you proactively remove it). Below are some photos of the fully assembled compatibility kit.
Once placed in the Dock, you’ll find that your Killswitch case fits perfectly.
You won’t even need to remove your kickstand. In the eternal words of Todd Howard, it just works.
These two additional components combine to form a “Dock Adapter Kit”. After the priority replacement orders have been shipped out, this Kit will be made available on our site.
