> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.
# Drive a Hand-Drawn Tram for Cats in This Illustrated Game
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/drive-a-hand-drawn-tram-for-cats-in-this-interactive-illustration/
- Published: 2017-10-02T15:15:56.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:56:27.000Z
- Description: Artist Alexander Perrin's Short Trip is a hand-drawn interactive game in which players drive a trolley for cats.
- Author: Allison Meier
- Tags: Art, Drawing, Interactive, Review, Video Games, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:30(2016, 2017, part 3)
Screenshot from Short Trip (courtesy Alexander Perrin)
[*Short Trip* ](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/paper/shorttrip/?ref=hyperallergic.com)is an interactive illustration in which you drive a tram for cats as it rumbles up and down the hand-drawn mountains. It’s a peaceful and lovingly designed experience that only lasts a few minutes, yet the attention to detail, from the sound to the sketched trees and turning windmills, is transporting.
Why cats? Australian artist [Alexander Perrin ](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/?ref=hyperallergic.com)was inspired both by his mother’s passion for cats, and his own feline companion in sketching the characters that populate *Short Trip*.
“I started making video games with [my cat](https://www.instagram.com/p/BXwTYgWj6UX/?taken-by=alexanderperrin&ref=hyperallergic.com) as the lead protagonist a few years ago as a tribute to her, and for whatever reason I’ve kept her in that position ever since,” Perrin told Hyperallergic. “Why she would take to driving trams, I can’t say I know, but ever since I visited the [Hakone Tozan Mountain Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakone%5FTozan%5FLine?ref=hyperallergic.com) in Japan I’ve been set on creating an experience which would emulate the crafted form and feel of that journey with her paws at the helm.”
> Hello! My web-based, hand-drawn scenic tram simulator 'Short Trip' is now in service. Take a 5 minute ride at [https://t.co/2FpH1tR7aU](https://t.co/2FpH1tR7aU?ref=hyperallergic.com) [pic.twitter.com/JG1FUyR7tE](https://t.co/JG1FUyR7tE?ref=hyperallergic.com)
>
> — Alexander Perrin (@alexanderperrin) [September 24, 2017](https://twitter.com/alexanderperrin/status/911789253746503680?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=hyperallergic.com)
A cat with control of a train is less terrifying than expected in *Short Trip,* with keyboard arrows (and a space bar to ring the bell) peacefully guiding the tram along. I may have given the upright-walking cat passengers whiplash as I got the hang of starting and stopping, though, and some of the pedestrians milling about at markets and churches fled the approaching car. Overall, it’s a meditative ride, and elegantly animates graphite drawings without losing that handmade touch.
“I’ve often found that the use of physical mediums in digital contexts is seemingly done for novelty’s sake, and not in any meaningful or convincing way.” Perrin said. “They have very different affordances and qualities which I feel should be acknowledged when being smooshed together.”
*Short Trip* is planned to be [the first](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/portfolio/short-trip/?ref=hyperallergic.com) by Perrin in a collection of interactive illustrations. This inaugural edition is available to play for free ([donations are welcome](https://www.paypal.me/alexanderperrin?ref=hyperallergic.com)) on both his [site ](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/paper/shorttrip/?ref=hyperallergic.com)and [Itch.io. ](https://alexanderperrin.itch.io/short-trip?ref=hyperallergic.com)With all the stress in the world, it is a respite of calm, with birds chirping in the background as the cats leisurely prowl their scenic environment. As Perrin stated, “I suppose cats feel right to support the tramway as they never seem to have a necessary destination, they just move to wherever seems pleasant at the time.”
Screenshot from Short Trip (courtesy Alexander Perrin)
Screenshot from Short Trip (courtesy Alexander Perrin)
Screenshot from Short Trip (courtesy Alexander Perrin)
Screenshot from Short Trip (courtesy Alexander Perrin)
[Short Trip ](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/paper/shorttrip/?ref=hyperallergic.com)*by Alexander Perrin is available to* [*play online*](http://alexanderperrin.com.au/paper/shorttrip/?ref=hyperallergic.com)*.*