1-858-WHEN-KRZ
1-858-WHEN-KRZ (1-858-943-6579), or the Kentucky Route Zero Development Status Hotline, is a phone hotline by Cardboard Computer dedicated to providing callers with the release status of Kentucky Route Zero, including Act V and the game's console ports.
Online as of October 15, 2018, Cardboard Computer stated in their announcement tweet and Instagram post that "if you find it reassuring, you may add it to your 'speed dial.'"
Recordings
"In production"
Dates used: October 15, 2018 – June 2019.
"Quality assurance testing"
Dates used: June 2019 – January 4, 2020.
"Preparing for publication"
Dates used: January 4 – 28, 2020.
This recording played a countdown, in minutes, to 9:00 a.m. PST on Tuesday, January 7, 2019 (seven years since the release of Act I). A transcript can be read here.
As the countdown reached zero, the recording switched to ending with the following message:
"Department of the Real"
On January 28th, 2020, Cardboard Computer announced a collaboration with iam8bit on physical releases of the game for several systems, in addition to vinyl releases of Ben Babbitt's music related to the game. During so, the hotline was rebranded to the Department of the Real, and the number was advertised using the actual phone number of 1-858-943-6579.
Department of the Real
Dates used: Since January 28, 2020.
