This streamer’s Twitch chat could actively ruin his game. It could activate a modded headphone that temporarily blinds him, or set off an IRL jumpscare.

I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across IrateFrenchFry. The capitalisation is key, as they don't like french fries. To be fair, they're also not a French fry. They are a Twitch broadcaster with the same name and a degree in mechanical engineer. The reason I stopped watching his channel was that I watched him desperately try to play Rainbow Six Siege while a visor fell in front of his face, seemingly at random. It completely ruined his game.

@iratefrenchfry

Sad violin ballad - Inumori

It's not random. It's controlled through their Twitch Chat--his seemingly maniacal Twitch Chat. IrateFrenchFry gets blinded by a visor every time he tries to be a good player on an objective or is in a stand-off with enemies.

IrateFrenchFry explained to me how it works:

"I programmed an embedded microcontroller board to monitor my chat and look for certain words. If it sees any of these words, it will activate whatever function I want.

"For example, my script monitors the chat and looks for the word '!blind.' If it finds that word, it activates a motor on my headset to lower blinders."

The gaming headset is nothing extraordinary: it's just a standard Logitech G733, except for the servo-powered gizmo in the right ear cup.

"Mechanically, the glasses work by using a linear actuator I 3D-printed." The blinder (just painted glasses that I bought) is attached to the linear actuator so that they can be raised and lowered.

IrateFrenchFry limits the number of times the activation words may be used by limiting the chat to his account only. This means that it's not a free-for-all. It's not intended to be that way. You might think he is just having us on, and they are pressing the button to make the visor drop. But no, this is still the Twitch Chat, but they must earn channel points to activate it.

What could be better than blinding your favourite Twitch streamer during a moment of intense competition or making them do a dab?

Jumpscare IRL

@iratefrenchfry

Original sound - IrateFrenchfry

IrateFrenchFry, using their mechanical expertise, also created a system which flashes lights, releases a frightening puppet in front of the audience, and plays a scream that will make you scream.

It's overwhelming to me that there is so much going on, both in the real world and the game. IrateFrench was a helicopter search and recovery officer in the United States Coast Guard. He may be used to loud sounds and difficult working conditions.

You can find more clips on their Twitch or TikTok channels.