Enthusiasts of game shows, content creation, and intense action will be intrigued by Kodansha’s forthcoming project, BUZZ or DIE. Crafted by Japanese indie studio Bon and adorned with character visuals by manga artist Atsushi Okada (known for Nyankees and Tataki the Side Hustle), this point-and-click adventure places you alongside a criminal as you engage in the eponymous game show. The game is slated for release on Steam in 2026, complete with English language support.
The mechanics of the BUZZ or DIE game show are straightforward. Participants—consisting of notorious criminals facing capital punishment—plunge into their rivals’ minds to uncover scandalous secrets. These secrets are transformed into short video content, presented to an audience. Contestants whose videos garner the most likes advance to the next round, with the ultimate victor receiving a pardon and the fulfillment of one wish. Those who falter face execution and eternal disgrace, as a slave android modeled after their appearance is produced.
Accompanied by death row inmate Sho Sagishima (charged with fraud, bribery, perjury, embezzlement, multiple tax violations, and aiding in the misappropriation of national funds), you explore contestants’ minds in pursuit of secrets. Upon discovering material worthy of content creation, an in-game video editing tool called PhotoBishop enables you to craft your video. From character visuals to bold text overlays, your objective is to create content so compelling that you and Sho survive to compete again. The game’s narrative unfolds between these editing sessions, as suggested by the initial trailer.
BUZZ or DIE is scheduled for a 2026 launch on Windows (Steam).