Indie developer Smiley Dog is bringing a unique twist to psychological horror with DON’T STOP SMILING, set to release on PC in Q2 2026. The game combines first-person exploration with real-time facial expression tracking, creating a tense and immersive experience.

Smile—or Die

In DON’T STOP SMILING, players must keep smiling at all times. The game uses a PC camera to track your facial expressions. If your smile falters even briefly, your character dies. This simple rule turns a basic human expression into a source of terror, keeping tension high from start to finish.

Players explore dimly lit school corridors, solve small puzzles, and navigate increasingly stressful situations. As the environment becomes more hostile, maintaining a smile grows harder. Consequently, your emotional and physical reactions directly affect your survival.

Short but Intense Gameplay

The game is designed to be a compact horror experience. Playtime is approximately 45–60 minutes, offering a focused and intense session. Despite its short length, the game delivers a memorable and chilling journey that tests both nerves and reflexes.

Streamer-Friendly Design

Smiley Dog encourages streamers and content creators to share their experiences. Players can monetize videos and streams freely, as long as they include a link to the Steam store page. This makes DON’T STOP SMILING ideal for live streaming reactions to tense and creepy gameplay.

PC Requirements

The minimum PC requirements include Windows 11, an Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 960 GPU, and 8 GB of storage. Recommended specs are Windows 11, an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti GPU, and 8 GB of storage. These specifications ensure a smooth and responsive experience during gameplay.

A Fresh Approach to Horror

DON’T STOP SMILING redefines psychological horror by linking your real-world expressions to in-game consequences. It challenges players in unexpected ways, combining tension, guilt, and immersion. Fans of indie horror and experimental gameplay will want to wishlist this one and prepare for a truly unnerving adventure.