🎮 Controls Overview
RV There Yet supports both keyboard/mouse and game controllers (Xbox, PS5, generic). This guide covers all control schemes, helping you master vehicle driving, item interaction, and multiplayer communication.
✅ What You'll Learn
- ✓ Complete keyboard control layout
- ✓ Xbox & PS5 controller button mapping
- ✓ How to customize keybinds
- ✓ Multiplayer communication controls
- ✓ Common control issues & fixes
⚠️ Important Note
Default controls work well for most players, but you can customize all keybinds in Settings → Controls. We recommend keeping default settings until you're comfortable with the game mechanics.
⌨️ Complete Keyboard Controls
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 DRIVING CONTROLS | ||
| W | Accelerate / Move Forward | Hold to drive, tap for slow movement |
| S | Reverse / Move Backward | Slower than forward movement |
| A | Steer Left | Turn radius depends on speed |
| D | Steer Right | Turn radius depends on speed |
| Space | Brake | Gradually slows down RV |
| Shift | Handbrake / Park | Instant stop, use on slopes |
| 🤲 INTERACTION CONTROLS | ||
| E | Interact / Pick Up | Use on items, doors, levers |
| F | Use Item / Consume | Eat burger, use EpiPen, etc. |
| Q | Drop Item | Free inventory space |
| Tab | Open Inventory | View all carried items |
| R | Reload / Refill | Context-dependent action |
| 📷 CAMERA & UI | ||
| Mouse | Look Around | Free camera movement |
| C | Change Camera | 1st/3rd person toggle |
| M | Open Map | View full game map |
| Esc | Pause / Menu | Settings & exit game |
| 👥 MULTIPLAYER | ||
| V | Push to Talk (Voice) | Hold to speak |
| T | Text Chat | Type to team |
| G | Ping / Mark Location | Alert teammates |
| 🔧 TOOLS & SPECIAL | ||
| 1-5 | Quick Item Slots | Hotbar items |
| X | Deploy Winch | Vehicle rescue tool |
| Z | Use Power Pole | Move obstacles |
🚗 Driving Controls Deep Dive
The RV in RV There Yet has realistic physics, making driving one of the core challenges. Understanding how acceleration, steering, and braking work is crucial.
🚀 Acceleration (W)
- • Tap W: Slow, controlled movement (uphill)
- • Hold W: Full speed (flat terrain)
- • Speed varies by terrain (mud, rocks slow you down)
- • Engine oil required for consistent acceleration
🔄 Steering (A/D)
- • Wide turning radius: RV is long and heavy
- • Plan turns early: Don't wait until last second
- • Slower speed = tighter turns
- • Reverse turning is opposite (S + A/D)
🛑 Brake (Space)
- • Gradual slowdown: Not instant stop
- • Use early before obstacles/turns
- • Momentum affects braking distance
- • Don't brake on slopes (use handbrake)
🅿️ Handbrake (Shift)
- • Instant stop: Emergency brake
- • Must-use on slopes: Prevents rolling
- • Exit RV safely: Always handbrake first
- • Steep hills: Engage before getting out
💡 Pro Driving Tip
When navigating difficult terrain, use this sequence: Slow down (Space) → Plan turn → Accelerate gently (Tap W) → Steer (A/D) → Repeat. Never go full speed on rocky or muddy terrain!
Bridge Jump Exception: For bridge jumps, you MUST be in 3rd gear (moderate speed) to successfully make the jump. See our Bridge Jump Guide for details.
🤲 Interaction Controls
Beyond driving, you'll frequently interact with objects, items, and the environment.
E - Interact / Pick Up
The most-used key in RV There Yet. E lets you:
- • Pick up items (Engine Oil, Burger, EpiPen, etc.)
- • Open doors (RV doors, cabin doors)
- • Activate levers and switches
- • Interact with team members (revive)
- • Use checkpoints (save game progress)
Tip: You'll see [E] Interact prompt when near interactive objects.
F - Use Item / Consume
Use F to consume items from your inventory:
- • Food: Burger, Meat Patty (restore hunger)
- • Medicine: EpiPen (revive/reset), Antidote (cure poison)
- • Tools: Cigarette (stamina boost), Lotion (burn heal)
Important: Select the item in your hotbar (keys 1-5) first, then press F.
Q - Drop Item
Inventory management is crucial. Use Q to:
- • Free up inventory space (limited slots)
- • Drop items for teammates
- • Discard duplicates or unwanted items
Warning: Dropped items stay on the ground and can be picked up again, but may disappear if you go too far.
👥 Multiplayer Communication Controls
RV There Yet is built for co-op, so communication controls are essential.
Voice Chat (V)
Hold V to activate push-to-talk voice communication.
- ✓ Default on
- ✓ Proximity-based
- ✓ High quality audio
Text Chat (T)
Press T to open text chat window, type your message, press Enter to send.
- ✓ Team-only chat
- ✓ Persistent log
- ✓ Voice alternative
Ping (G)
Press G to place a marker/ping on your current location or item.
- ✓ Visual marker
- ✓ Visible to team
- ✓ Great for silent play
⚠️ Voice Chat Troubleshooting
If your voice chat isn't working:
- Check Settings → Audio → Voice Chat is enabled
- Verify Windows/Steam has microphone permission
- Test microphone in Windows Sound Settings
- Try push-to-talk (V) instead of voice activation
- See our Voice Chat Fix Guide
🎮 Game Controller Support
RV There Yet has full controller support for Xbox, PlayStation, and generic gamepads. Many players prefer controllers for driving.
✅ Supported Controllers
Xbox Controllers
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
✓ Plug & Play
PlayStation Controllers
PS4 DualShock, PS5 DualSense
⚠️ Requires Steam Input
Generic Gamepads
Logitech, Razer, etc.
✓ Most supported
Xbox Controller Layout
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| RT (Right Trigger) | Accelerate |
| LT (Left Trigger) | Brake / Reverse |
| Left Stick | Steer Left/Right |
| Right Stick | Look Around |
| A Button | Interact (E) |
| B Button | Cancel / Drop Item |
| X Button | Use Item (F) |
| Y Button | Change Camera |
| LB (Left Bumper) | Previous Item |
| RB (Right Bumper) | Next Item |
| D-Pad Up | Ping / Mark |
| D-Pad Down | Open Map |
| View Button | Inventory |
| Menu Button | Pause / Settings |
| Left Stick Click | Voice Chat |
PS5 DualSense Controller Layout
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| R2 (Right Trigger) | Accelerate |
| L2 (Left Trigger) | Brake / Reverse |
| Left Stick | Steer Left/Right |
| Right Stick | Look Around |
| ✕ (Cross) | Interact (E) |
| ○ (Circle) | Cancel / Drop Item |
| □ (Square) | Use Item (F) |
| △ (Triangle) | Change Camera |
| L1 (Left Bumper) | Previous Item |
| R1 (Right Bumper) | Next Item |
| D-Pad Up | Ping / Mark |
| D-Pad Down | Open Map |
| Create Button | Inventory |
| Options Button | Pause / Settings |
| L3 Click | Voice Chat |
⚠️ PS5 Controller Setup
To use PS5 controllers on PC:
- Connect controller via USB or Bluetooth
- Open Steam → Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings
- Enable "PlayStation Configuration Support"
- Launch RV There Yet from Steam
- Controller should auto-detect
🤔 Controller vs Keyboard: Which is Better?
🎮 Controller Advantages
- ✓ Analog steering - smoother turns
- ✓ Variable speed control - trigger precision
- ✓ Comfortable for long sessions
- ✓ Great for driving
⌨️ Keyboard Advantages
- ✓ Faster item management - number keys
- ✓ Precise camera control - mouse
- ✓ Quick text chat
- ✓ More hotkey options
Pro Tip: Many players use controller for driving and keyboard/mouse for inventory management. You can hot-swap between them!
⚙️ Custom Keybinds
Don't like the default controls? You can customize every keybind in RV There Yet.
📝 How to Change Keybinds
-
1
Open Settings: Press Esc during gameplay → Select "Settings"
-
2
Navigate to Controls: Click "Controls" tab (left sidebar)
-
3
Select Action: Find the action you want to rebind (e.g., "Interact")
-
4
Click to Rebind: Click on the current key → Press your desired new key
-
5
Save Changes: Click "Apply" → "Save" to confirm
💡 Popular Custom Setups
- • FPS Players: Move Interact to F (instead of E)
- • MMO Players: Bind items to F1-F5 (instead of 1-5)
- • Racing Fans: Swap Brake/Handbrake positions
- • Lefties: Mirror WASD to Arrow Keys
⚠️ Rebind Warnings
- • Don't rebind Esc (reserved for menu)
- • Avoid conflicts (two actions = same key)
- • Test in safe area before playing
- • You can always "Reset to Default"
🔧 Controls Troubleshooting
Having issues with controls? Here are common problems and solutions.
❌ Keys Not Responding
Symptoms: Pressing keys does nothing, character doesn't move/interact
Solutions:
- Check focus: Click game window to ensure it's active (not browser/Discord)
- Restart game: Sometimes input gets stuck, restart fixes it
- Check keybinds: Make sure you didn't accidentally rebind keys
- Disable overlays: Discord/Steam overlay can interfere (disable temporarily)
- Test keyboard: Try typing in game chat (T) to verify keyboard works
🎮 Controller Not Detected
Symptoms: Controller connected but game doesn't respond
Solutions:
- Steam Input: Enable Steam Controller Configuration Support (Steam Settings → Controller)
- Wired connection: Try USB cable instead of Bluetooth (more reliable)
- Driver update: Update controller drivers (Windows Update or manufacturer site)
- Test in Big Picture: Open Steam Big Picture Mode and test controller there first
- Restart Steam: Close and reopen Steam, then launch game
🚗 RV Won't Move / Steering Stuck
Symptoms: Pressing W/A/S/D (or triggers) but RV doesn't move or steers only one direction
Solutions:
- Handbrake engaged: Make sure you released Shift (handbrake)
- Engine oil depleted: RV needs engine oil to run (check inventory)
- Stuck on obstacle: RV might be stuck on rock/tree (exit and push, or use winch)
- Multiplayer desync: If you're passenger, only driver can control RV
- Physics glitch: Rare but happens - exit RV, wait 10 seconds, re-enter
🎤 Voice Chat (V) Not Working
Symptoms: Holding V but teammates can't hear you
Solutions:
- Check in-game settings: Settings → Audio → Voice Chat Enabled = ON
- Windows permissions: Check Windows Privacy → Microphone → Allow apps
- Test microphone: Windows Sound Settings → Test your microphone
- Push-to-talk mode: Make sure it's set to "Push to Talk" not "Voice Activated"
- Full fix guide: See our detailed Voice Chat Troubleshooting Guide
Still Having Issues?
Check our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or ask the community for help.
🏆 Pro Controls Tips
Master these advanced control techniques to play like a pro.
Quick Item Switching
Don't open inventory during emergencies. Pre-assign critical items to hotbar (1-5):
- • 1: EpiPen (for revives)
- • 2: Burger (food)
- • 3: Engine Oil (refuel)
- • 4: Antidote (poison cure)
- • 5: Situational (Bear Spray, Lotion, etc.)
Feathering Throttle
On difficult terrain, don't hold W. Instead, tap W repeatedly (or pulse trigger) for maximum control:
- • Rocky terrain: Tap W to climb slowly
- • Steep downhills: Tap S (reverse) to control descent
- • Tight turns: Release W before turning
Free Look While Driving
Keep driving while looking around for bears/teammates:
- • Hold W (keep driving forward)
- • Move mouse to look left/right/behind
- • Don't steer (A/D) while free-looking (you'll crash!)
- • Practice on straight roads first
Communication Shortcuts
Fast callouts save lives in co-op:
- • G (Ping): Mark items for teammates
- • V (Voice) + "Bear": Alert team to danger
- • T (Text) + "Oil": Request engine oil
- • Use simple callouts: "Left", "Stop", "Go", "Bear"
🎯 The #1 Control Tip
Master the Handbrake (Shift) - It's the most underused but critical control in RV There Yet.
Always engage handbrake when: exiting RV on slopes, stopping near edges, taking photos, or during bear encounters. A rolling RV has killed more players than bears ever will!
📚 Related Guides
Ready to Master RV There Yet?
Now that you know all the controls, it's time to hit the road! Join 100,000+ players in the ultimate RV survival adventure.