|engine = [[wikipedia:Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
|platform = Windows, macOS, Linux<br /><small>Future: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4</small>
|release = 2013–2018 2013–2019 ({{anchor|Release|info}})
}}
{{title}} is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway in the caves beneath Kentucky and the mysterious folks who travel it. The game is developed and published by [[Cardboard Computer]], an independent studio consisting of [[Jake Elliott]], [[Tamas Kemenczy]], and [[Ben Babbitt]]. It follows an episodic format, mirroring the dramatic structure of a five-act play. The project was first revealed on January 7, 2011 on Kickstarter. By the end of the campaign, the game had acquired USD $8,583 from 205 backers, exceeding its original goal of $6,500. A heavily-revised trailer with an updated visual style was released on October 17, 2012.
The game's five acts follow the narrative of a truck driver named [[Conway]] and the mysterious people he meets as he tries to cross the fictional [[Route Zero|Route {{Zero}}]] to make his final delivery for an antique company. The [[Act I|first act]] was released on January 7, 2013. The [[Act II|second]], [[Act III|third]], and [[Act IV|fourth acts]], along with four shorter, free-to-play supplemental games, have since been released. The [[Act V|final act]] is forthcoming. The game is currently available via [https://store.steampowered.com/app/231200/Kentucky_Route_Zero/ Steam], [https://cardboardcomputer.itch.io/kentucky-route-zero itch.io], [https://www.gog.com/game/kentucky_route_zero_season_pass GOG.com], and the [https://www.humblebundle.com/store/p/kentuckyroutezero_storefront Humble Store], and will release on all major consoles in 2019. Players receive all available acts upon purchase, with future acts and updates free-of-charge.
== Development ==
The project was first revealed on January 7, 2011 on Kickstarter. By the end of the campaign, the game had acquired USD $8,583 from 205 backers, exceeding its original goal of $6,500.<ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/149077132/kentucky-route-zero-a-magic-realist-adventure-game Kentucky Route Zero, a magic realist adventure game – Kickstarter]</ref> A heavily-revised trailer with an updated visual style was released on October 17, 2012.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCz9T5NgYJQ Kentucky Route Zero (IGF Trailer) – YouTube]</ref>
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== Reception ==
''Kentucky Route Zero'' has been well-received by critics. It won the award for Excellence in Visual Art at the [[wikipedia:Independent Games Festival|Independent Games Festival]] in 2013, and was named game of the year by ''[[wikipedia:Rock, Paper, Shotgun|Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]'' the same year. In 2015, ''Kentucky Route Zero'''s Act III won Best Narrative at the [[wikipedia:Game Developers Choice Awards|Game Developers Choice Awards]].
File:Act V poster.png|Act V poster
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== References ==
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[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Real world]]