New horror game forces you to smile to survive

There’s an upcoming indie horror game that challenges you to maintain a smile while you push through a creepy experience.

Don’t Stop Smiling may sound like a wholesome game at first, though you’ll soon change your mind when you learn the twisted truth behind it.

Developed by Smiley Dog, this upcoming horror game requires you to, well, smile, in order to survive. Using your PC camera, the game tracks your real-life facial expressions through facial recognition, which makes all your reactions matter.

And before you think the game will cut you some slack… it won’t. Even if your smile fades for just a single second, your character will die.

You’ll need to keep smiling to play this horror game

In the game, you’ll explore a creepy school filled with dark corridors, classrooms, and other dimly lit areas. As you move through the environment, you’ll encounter puzzles and some seriously eerie creatures popping up on your screen, all while trying to keep a smile on your face.

You can actually check out how well you’re holding up, too. In the upper-left corner of the screen, there’s a face status display with a 3D model that mirrors your real-life expression using your camera.

If you’re wondering what happens when you stop smiling, the trailer makes it pretty clear. A pair of hands will suddenly appear on screen and cover your eyes, before everything cuts to static with the words “Smile Broken.”

According to Steam, a full playthrough takes around 45 to 60 minutes. Additionally, while there’s no exact release date yet, the game is planned to launch in Q2 2026.