Just make sure you NEVER STOP SMILE.
Independent developer Smiley Dog Studio has launched a Steam page for DON'T STOP SMILING, a first-person psychological horror game based on a disturbing premise. The controller becomes the player's own face. Using real-time facial recognition via a webcam, the game constantly monitors the player's facial expressions. The moment the player stops smiling, the experience ends.
Set in an abandoned Japanese public high school, Don't Stop Smiling places players in a creepy, winding hallway inspired by PT-style hallway horror. The environment changes subtly as players move forward, becoming more unsettling with each cycle. Throughout it all, players must keep a smile on their face, even as the atmosphere grows increasingly uncomfortable.
There are no monsters to outrun and no combat systems to master. Failure comes from one source. Losing your smile means losing the game. This rule turns a simple facial expression into a source of constant tension. This forces players to suppress fear, anxiety, and instinctive reactions.
Facial recognition is directly related to progress. Smiling and small changes in facial expression affect the game's response, making the player's emotional state an active part of the gameplay experience rather than something hidden behind the controller.
The game's puzzles further add to this discomfort. Progress often requires actions that seem morally wrong or emotionally disturbing, such as participating in harmful situations involving others. These moments deliberately evoke feelings of guilt and disgust, creating a direct conflict between what the player feels and what the game demands. DON'T STOP SMILE uses this encounter to explore psychological horror in a deeply personal and disturbing way. So, are you ready for a unique experience that requires absolute determination not to smile?
