Compete for viewers’ votes in prime-time to avoid hard time and death row in a new game show
TOKYO — 1 September, 2026 — BUZZ or DIE, the violent sci-fi visual novel developed by Bon, ruins reputations on PC via Steam in 2026. The gruesome game show will come to life, to end inmates’ lives, through a collaboration with Japanese publisher Kodansha Game Creators’ Lab.
A handful of “lucky” prisoners get to gamble double-or-nothing with their lives in a new game show: BUZZ or DIE! Two opponents comb through their rival’s past to create the most damning video possible, with a catchy thumbnail, then screen it for the entire country. Go viral and walk out with a squeaky-clean record. Flop, and earn a grisly streamed execution. Your post is trending, or you are meeting your ending!
Dig through the opponent’s entire history in search of scandalous skeletons in their closet: read through their past conversations, and scan their memories for disgraceful deeds, treacherous thoughts, and appalling actions.
Package their horrid histories with the perfect words and images to create a killer thumbnail in the most salacious manner possible, then roll the video for the audience. Whoever pulls in the most likes earns their freedom and one wish. The loser is put to death, with their android likeness condemned to eternal labor. It’s a dig at their dignity… but it’s not like they’ll be around to see it.
Among the peculiar cast with sordid pasts handpicked for stardom (or expedited execution): a former comedian turned bomber, a genius hacker, a revolutionary, and a chef with an appetite for people. It’s a popularity contest like no other, with no consolation prizes!
“At first glance, Buzz or Die seems a bit extreme. It has an outrageous premise, and complicated characters,” says Bon, solo developer, “It’s a hard-hitting, memorable gameplay experience, and there’s a ton of depth to be discovered that I do not want to spoil.”
BUZZ or DIE arrives on PC via Steam in 2026 with language options in English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese. For more information, follow developer Bon on X / Twitter.
About Bon
Bon is an independent game developer based in Japan, known for vividly drawn characters set against dark, thought-provoking worlds. Their previous works include EgoMixer and Twelve Angry Boyfriends.
About Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab
Established in 2021, Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab is the fourth department of the prestigious entertainment publishing company Kodansha Ltd., founded in 1909. Its motto is “Everything for the creator,” reflecting the company’s goal to support young talents and introduce indie creators to the wider public.
