How to play
Say it early.
Say it once.
You can't steer, brake or touch the pedals. You can ask. Every key is something a passenger might say, and your driver does their best with it.
Controls
- QTurn left
- at the next junction. Ask early: the driver needs a moment to get in lane.
- ETurn right
- at the next junction. Ask nothing and they carry on straight.
- ADChange lane
- left or right, when there is a gap. The arrow keys work too.
- WSHurry up or calm down
- pushes the driver past the limit, or settles them back.
- RTurn round
- a U-turn where the road is wide enough.
- FOvertake
- the dawdler ahead, if the other lane is clear.
- SpaceBrake!
- hold it, and they hold the brake with you.
- HHorn
- it changes nothing, and everyone knows it.
- XForget that
- cancels whatever you last asked for.
- ZLook at the map
- zooms out over the town while you think.
- EscPause
- P works too. M mutes.
Questions
Before you get in
What is I Know a Shortcut?
A driving game where you never touch the wheel. You are the passenger, and you get a stranger across Greenwich, London, by telling them where to turn.
Is it a real place?
Yes. The town is built from OpenStreetMap: every street, lane, set of lights and building in a 22 km² slice of south-east London, from Deptford Creek to Charlton.
When is it coming to Steam?
Soon. It is in development for a Steam release on PC. Sign up for updates to hear when the store page opens, and again at launch.
What do I need to play?
A PC with Steam, and a keyboard. It is built for desktop play, not phones or touch screens.
How is a journey scored?
By time. Each journey has gold, silver and bronze times. Bumping into things adds five seconds, and any route counts, so a true shortcut pays.
Does the driver always do what I say?
They try. A call has to come early enough to get into lane, the other drivers have their own ideas, and the lights do not care about either of you.