Sip or Die puts a horror twist on a classic party game

Sip or Die takes the phrase “pick your poison” literally by asking you to drink from a selection of vials that are either safe or have detrimental effects. The problem is, you don’t know which is which, so you’ll have to take risks and cross your fingers that you are able to outlive your opponents.

We’ve broken down all of the key Sip or Die features, so you know all the details before you take your first drink from this twist on Roulette games.

What is Sip or Die?

The Sip or Die game places you in a dark, dilapidated room with a table in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs. This is the playing area, and the chairs appear as if they’re electric chairs, which also indicates the number of lives you and other players have by displaying hearts. When you’re sitting in your chair, you will have access to a keypad that contains numbers corresponding to the numbered vials of liquid on the table.

Although all the liquid in the vials presents in the same unappealing green color, some vials are filled with water, while others contain poison. After choosing your vial, you won’t know if the liquid will deplete your health or if you got lucky until after you consume it. Even if you aren’t killed via poisoning from this deadly Sip or Die drinking game, you can also meet your maker through electrocution, so you really are putting your life on the line in this dark twist on gambling.

All parts of the Sip or Die gameplay take place under the watchful eye of a mysterious character known as The Pigman. As the main antagonist, The Pigman worships the outcome of the games, described as whispering in static and flickering light as the rounds play out. Game screenshots show The Pigman roaming around the room, both inside and outside of the playing area, carrying a pistol. 

It appears that The Pigman will play a major role in contributing to the psychological horror elements of Sip or Die, as if being strapped to an electric chair and being forced to drink potentially poisonous concoctions wasn’t scary enough.

Does Sip or Die have multiplayer?

According to the Sip or Die Steam page, there will be online PvP and online co-op, alongside a single-player mode. It’s unknown how many players’ lobbies will support, but Sip or Die screenshots show four chairs stationed at the playing area. What is certain is that it’s every player for themselves, so you’ll have to manipulate and test your luck not only in relation to the dangerous Roulette, but against your friends too.

Who is the Sip or Die developer?

The Sip or Die developer is SGS Studio. This indie developer also released PolyZ in October 2024 as a mix between DayZ and Escape From Tarkov, but with low-poly graphics. PolyZ has continued to receive patches, with a roadmap of content spanning up to 2026. In 2026, PolyZ will receive mod support, a squad system, character progression, and base building. Even though Sip or Die offers a contrasting experience to PolyZ, its continuous post-launch support could be a sign of what’s to come in Sip or Die after release.

When is the Sip or Die release date?

Regarding the Sip or Die release date, it is scheduled for December 18, 2025. The game will be playable at launch on PC through Steam, but at the time of writing, there has been no announcement on whether Sip or Die will receive a console port.

How does Sip or Die compare to other Roulette games?

In terms of where the Sip or Die game stands, it’s akin to Buckshot Roulette in the way you gamble for your life against an opponent using a dangerous item. While Buckshot Roulette pits you against an unsettling foe, you have to answer to the leader of the games in Sip or Die, known as The Pigman.

Sip or Die features share the most similarities with Side Effects, a turn-based medical roulette game where pills are used instead of poison. At the beginning of a round, you are told how many pills are placebos and how many are lethal, and you never know the effects the pills will have on your body until they’re consumed. Sip or Die has a related premise, where you test your luck by choosing the vials of liquid you want to drink, with some of them being poisonous. 

The main difference between Sip or Die and previously released Roulette games is the fact that Sip or Die is played on an electric chair, as another way you can be killed beyond what’s on the playing table.

Why are games like Sip or Die addictive?

Sip or Die and its counterparts are addictive because you’re faced with life-or-death situations where every choice feels like it’s meaningful. Sip or Die gambling mechanics are simple enough for anybody to pick up, and runs are broken down into short, bite-sized chunks that are enough to encourage players to hit the retry button after a failed attempt. Each run also feels unpredictable, offering the chance to be rewarded for taking calculated risks. The horror format works well in building more tension to make the stakes feel even higher.

References

1. Sip Or Die (Steam)
2. SGS Studio (Steam)