View source for Buzz!

{{Other uses|Buzz (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{lead too long|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title          = Buzz!
| image          = Buzz-logo.png
| caption        = The logo of the Buzz! series
| developer      = [[Relentless Software]]<br />[[Kuju Entertainment]]<br />[[Curve Studios]]
| publisher      = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
| genre          = Quiz
| spinoffs       = ''[[#Buzz! Junior series|Buzz! Junior:]]''
| creator        =Stewart Jones
| platforms      = [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
| first release version  = ''[[Buzz!: The Music Quiz]]''
| first release date     = October 2005
| latest release version = ''[[Buzz!: The Ultimate Music Quiz]]''
| latest release date    = October 2010
}}

'''''Buzz!''''' is a series of [[video games]] developed by [[Relentless Software]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation Portable]] consoles. It was conceptualized by restaurant owner Stewart Jones, who sold the concept to Sony.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bicknell |first1=Gareth |date=25 October 2008 |title=Buzz is the business |url=http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=16290566&method=full&siteid=50142&headline=buzz-is-the-business--name_page.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217234920/http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk:80/news/regionalnews/tm_objectid=16290566%26method=full%26siteid=50142%26headline=buzz-is-the-business--name_page.html |archive-date=17 December 2005 |access-date=7 February 2008 |publisher=icNorthWales}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Buzz Relentless Q and A |url=http://www.thumbbandits.com/Buzz_Relentless_Q_and_A.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124090023/http://www.thumbbandits.com/Buzz_Relentless_Q_and_A.asp |archive-date=24 January 2008 |access-date=7 February 2008 |publisher=thumbbandits.com}}</ref>

They are [[quiz]] games that see the players answering trivia questions while competing in the fictional game show ''Buzz!''. Created specifically with multi-player [[Party game|party gaming]] in mind, the series launched in October 2005 and to date comprises 18 games; including 13 in the ''Buzz!'' series and five ''Buzz! Junior'' titles. The series made the transition to the PlayStation 3 with ''[[Buzz!: Quiz TV]]'' in 2008.

In 2006 the second game in the Buzz series, ''Buzz!: The BIG Quiz'', won the [[British Academy Video Games Awards|BAFTA]] award for ''Best Casual and Social'' game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Games Nominations 2006 |publisher=[[BAFTA]] |year=2006 |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/video-games/nominations/?year=2006 |access-date=1 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524073909/http://www.bafta.org/awards/video-games/nominations/?year=2006 |archive-date=24 May 2008}}</ref> ''Buzz!: Quiz TV'' has been nominated in the ''Best Social Game'' and ''Best Multiplayer Game'' categories for the 2009 BAFTA video game awards.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Robert |last1=Purchese |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bafta-game-nominations-revealed |title=BAFTA game nominations revealed: COD4, Fable II, GTAIV, LBP top the bill |website=Eurogamer |date=10 February 2009 |access-date=21 August 2010}}</ref> The series has sold over 10 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=Buzz! developer Relentless shut down |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/buzz-developer-relentless-shut-down |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=7 August 2016 |date=5 August 2016}}</ref>

As with most [[Game show|TV quiz shows]] the winner of the game is the player with the most points. The show uses a multi-round format with most games in the series featuring eight individual rounds. The exact rounds vary from game-to-game and more information about the rounds can be found in the individual articles. Each game is hosted by the titular Buzz (voiced by [[Jason Donovan]] in the English versions).

The games are played with buzzers – a set of four simple controllers that consist of four coloured answer buttons and a red buzzer. These are intended to replicate the buzzers often seen on TV quiz shows. The buzzers plug into a USB port and the game allows use of either one or two sets of buzzers allowing up to eight players in certain games. The games are usually marketed in two versions, a pack containing both game and buzzers for new purchasers or a game only version for players who already own a set of buzzers.

In January 2008 California-based [[NTN Buzztime|Buzztime Entertainment]] filed a legal suit, in the Southern District of California, against Sony Computer Entertainment Europe alleging that Sony had violated several of its trademarks. The suit accused Sony of a "malicious, fraudulent, knowing, wilful, and deliberate" violation of its trademarks. In the suit Buzztime is seeking the recall and destruction of all infringing products and is asking the court for actual damages, punitive damages, legal fees and an order to the US Patent and Trademark Office not to register Sony's  pending Buzz trademarks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |title=Sony Buzz-ed with trademark suit |date=28 January 2008 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-buzz-ed-with-trademark-suit/1100-6185211/ |access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref> The case was eventually settled out of court in favour of Sony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kilpatricktownsend.com/en/Experience/2010/M12/I2/6122.aspx |title=Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP – NTN Buzztime Inc. v. Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC |publisher=Kilpatricktownsend.com |access-date=28 August 2012}}</ref>

== Buzz! series ==
[[File:Buzzgame.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Cover of ''[[Buzz! The Music Quiz]]'', the first game in the ''Buzz!'' series, showing the quiz master Buzz holding one of the buzzers designed specifically for the game series.]]
The series was launched in October 2005 with ''[[Buzz!: The Music Quiz]]'', which was followed by a general knowledge version ''[[Buzz!: The BIG Quiz]]''. The alternation between specialist subject and general knowledge continued for the next three games in the series; the sports based ''[[Buzz!: The Sports Quiz]]'' was followed by another general knowledge edition, ''[[Buzz!: The Mega Quiz]]'', and then another single subject edition based around films, ''[[Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz]]''. The sequence was broken with the March 2008 release of ''[[Buzz!: The Pop Quiz]]''.{{cn|date=June 2025}} 

''Buzz!: Quiz TV'' is a general knowledge quiz but allows players the option of quizzes on a single specific subject. ''Buzz!: Master Quiz'' is a general knowledge quiz with the addition of single subject rounds.  In 2009 ''Buzz!: Quiz World'', expanded on ''Quiz TV'' by adding profiles to remember player's character & buzzer sounds, if players won or lost the previous game and call them by name. ''Quiz World'' includes both a PS3 & PSP version of the game. ''Buzz!: Quiz Player'' is a free downloadable game, and is essentially a Quiz World demo. Quiz Player can also play the PS3 downloadable quiz packs, and can be played with the buzzers or with a [[DualShock 3]] controller.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

== Buzz! Junior series ==
[[File:Buzzjr.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Cover of ''Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party'', the first game in the ''Buzz! Junior'' series]]
{{Anchor|junior}}

In October 2006 a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series of games designed for children started with the release of ''[[Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party]]'' with 40 mini games (but 25 in The United States version). The second game, ''[[Buzz! Junior: Robo Jam]]'', was released in May 2007, was the first game to be created by Cohort Studios for both PlayStation 2 & PlayStation 3, and has 25 mini games ( but 24 in North America). Buzz! Junior: Robo Jam uses [[robot]]s as players. Then, a third, ''[[Buzz! Junior: Monster Rumble]]'' was released in November 2007 and has 25 mini games. The fourth game in the series, ''[[Buzz! Junior: Dino Den]]'', is based around [[dinosaur]]s and was the second Buzz game to be developed by Cohort Studios and released in February 2008. The fifth Buzz! Junior game, ''[[Buzz! Junior: Ace Racers]]'', again developed by Cohort Studios, was released in October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.playstation.com/games-media/games/detail/item114983/Buzz!%E2%84%A2-Junior%3A-Ace-Racers/ |title=PlayStation Games: - Buzz! Junior: Ace Racers |publisher=Uk.playstation.com |access-date=21 August 2010}}</ref> 

''Buzz! Junior: Ace Racers'' is a racing game where players race cars, boats and planes using their Buzz! buzzer. All the games in the ''Buzz! Junior'' series have been developed by [[Magenta Software]], [[FreeStyleGames]], and [[Cohort Studios]].

== Buzz! buzzers ==
[[File:Buzz Buzzer.jpg|right|thumb|100px|A Buzz! buzzer]]
The Buzz! Buzzer is a special controller designed specifically for the ''Buzz!'' game series. The controller handset has a large red buzzer button and four smaller coloured buttons for selecting the answer from the on-screen options. The buzzer set is a [[USB]] device, and connects to the USB ports on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.

''Buzz!: Quiz TV'' saw the release of a wireless version of the buzzers. They connect to the PS2 or PS3 system via a USB dongle. Each dongle can support up to 4 wireless buzzers so this means another dongle is required for 8 player play with 8 wireless buzzers. The wireless buzzers can be used with both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 and all previous Buzz! games.

{{clear}}

== Games ==

=== Buzz! series ===
{{Video game titles|
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Music Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Music Quiz
|date= {{vgrelease|EU|21 October 2005}}
|release= 2005– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The BIG Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The BIG Quiz
|date= {{vgrelease|EU|17 March 2006}}
|release= 2006– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Sports Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Sports Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|10 November 2006|AUS|16 November 2006}}
|release= 2006– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Mega Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Mega Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|27 April 2007|NA|30 October 2007}}
|release= 2007– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|19 October 2007|AUS|25 October 2007|NA|11 March 2008}}
|release= 2007– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Schools Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Schools Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|11 January 2008}}
|release= 2008– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Pop Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Pop Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|14 March 2008|AUS|15 May 2008}}
|release= 2008– [[PlayStation 2]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: Quiz TV
|title= Buzz!: Quiz TV
|date=  {{vgrelease|AUS|3 July 2008|EU|4 July 2008|NA|23 September 2008}}
|release= 2008– [[PlayStation 3]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: Master Quiz
|title= Buzz!: Master Quiz
|date=  {{vgrelease|EU|25 July 2008|AUS|31 July 2008|NA|23 September 2008}}
|release= 2008– [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article=Buzz!: Brain Bender
|title=Buzz!: Brain Bender
|date= {{vgrelease|EU|28 November 2008|AUS|4 December 2008}}
|release= 2008– [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: Brain of the World
|title= Buzz!: Brain of...
|date= {{vgrelease|AUS|26 March 2009|EU|27 March 2009}}
|release= 2009– [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article=Buzz!: Quiz World
|title=Buzz!: Quiz World
|date= {{vgrelease|EU|30 October 2009|AUS|5 November 2009|NA|10 November 2009}}
|release= 2009– [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|article= Buzz!: The Ultimate Music Quiz
|title= Buzz!: The Ultimate Music Quiz
|date= {{vgrelease|EU|22 October 2010}}
|release= 2010– [[PlayStation 3]] <br /> 2011– [[PlayStation Portable]]
}}
{{Video game titles/item
|title= Buzz!: Quiz Player
|refs= <ref>{{cite web |last=Hinkle |first=David |title=Freemium 'Buzz!: Quiz Player' comes to PSN today, with DualShock support |work=[[Engadget]] |date=21 December 2010 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-21-freemium-buzz-quiz-player-comes-to-psn-today-with-dualshock-s.html |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barbour |first=Jenny |title=BUZZ!: Quiz Player Delivers Free Fun Today with Facebook Integration, DualShock support |work=[[PlayStation Blog]] |date=21 December 2010 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2010/12/21/buzz-quiz-player-delivers-free-fun-today-with-facebook-integration-dualshock-support/ |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref>
|date= {{vgrelease|NA|21 December 2010}}
|release= 2010– [[PlayStation 3]]
|notes= * Free downloadable game on [[PlayStation Network]] that includes 90 questions in its sample pack.
* Several question packs were subsequently available through in-game purchase.
* Contains two modes: single player and local multiplayer for up to four players.
* Support for [[DualShock 3]] controllers.
* Features a [[Facebook]] implementation, which was used to publish the game results for all of the account's friends.
}}
}}

=== Buzz! Junior series ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="4"| Following Platform
|- style="text-align:center;"
|| <small>'''[[PlayStation 2]]'''</small>
|| <small>'''[[PlayStation 3]]'''</small>
|| <small>'''[[PlayStation Portable]]'''</small>
|-
|2006
|''[[Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2007
|''[[Buzz! Junior: Robo Jam]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
|
|-
|''[[Buzz! Junior: Monster Rumble]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2008
|''[[Buzz! Junior: Dino Den]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
|
|-
|''[[Buzz! Junior: Ace Racers]]''
| style="text-align:center;"|{{Tick}}
|
|
|-
|}

=== Other versions ===
[[File:Wwtbam buzz.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Pack shot of ''Who Wants to be a Millionaire'' version, the first third party game to use Buzz! buzzers]]
On 24 November 2006, [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]] released ''Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Party Edition''. This was the first [[Third-party developer|third party]] game to support the use of Buzz! buzzers. The game features a single player game closely modeled on the original UK version of the TV show and a multi-player version with various modes, such as Multi-Millionaire where players take turns answering questions, with elimination being the penalty for a wrong answer.  The winner is the last player left standing.  Millionaire Party allows players to steal questions from rivals.

On 7 November 2008, [[Disney Interactive Studios]] released ''[[Disney Think Fast]]'' for the PlayStation 2. The game came in a box with four Buzz controllers without the Buzz branding.

=== PlayStation Home ===
Relentless Software released a ''Buzz!'' themed [[List of PlayStation Home Game Spaces|space]] for the PlayStation 3's online social gaming network, [[PlayStation Home]] in the European and North American versions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/28/buzz-comes-to-playstation-home/ |title=BUZZ! Comes to PlayStation Home |date=28 May 2009 |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment|SCE]]}}</ref> The space is called "Buzz!: HQ". Buzz!: HQ is a lounge with seats for the user's avatars. It includes "Buzz!: Studio", a "64 Player Buzz! Quizzing" where players can win [[T-shirt|T-shirts]] for their avatars. There are four categories to choose from which change each game and a series of eight questions for each category. To answer the question correctly, the user must stand on the colored area that represents the correct answer. The original release date was 4 June 2009. Due to some technical problems of the Buzz!: Studio, the space was removed for fixing. The relaunch of the space happened on 16 July 2009. Another unique feature about the space is that the quizzes used for Buzz!: Studio are quizzes made by PlayStation Network users who have submitted their quiz via the MyBuzz! website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/07/15/this-week-in-playstation-home-buzz-and-fight-night-space-launches-and-more/ |title=This Week in PlayStation Home: Buzz! and Fight Night Space Launches, and More! |date=15 July 2009 |publisher=SCE}}</ref>

As of 10 September  2009, ''Buzz!: Quiz TV'' fully supports game launching.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/playstation-home-singstar-rooms-launch-on-september-24th-buzz-game-launching-support-announced/ |title=PlayStation Home SingStar Rooms Launch on September 24th, Buzz! Game Launching Support Announced |publisher=SCE |access-date=10 September 2009 |archive-date=12 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912082301/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/09/playstation-home-singstar-rooms-launch-on-september-24th-buzz-game-launching-support-announced/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Game launching is a feature that allows users to set up multi-player games in Home and launch directly into the game from Home. ''Buzz!: Quiz World'' supports PlayStation Home rewards by winning the quiz rounds in the game.

From 27 August 2009 to 24 September 2009, an event for ''Buzz!'' took place in a special PlayStation Events Space. The event was called the "''Buzz!'' Tomato Challenge" and used the space, Events Landing. Exclusive footage from the ''Buzz!'' World Championships grand final at [[La Tomatina]] festival in [[Spain]] was shown during the event. Users were able to take part in a virtual version of the real world event via the ''Buzz!'' Tomato Challenge pod in the re-dressed Events Landing. Users threw tomatoes at the enormous Buzz by answering quiz questions correctly. If they successfully hit Buzz ten times within the time limit, they were rewarded a ''Buzz!'' Tomato Head for their avatar. This event was only available to the European Home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/08/26/the-buzz-tomato-challenge-makes-its-way-into-playstation-home/ |title=The Buzz! Tomato Challenge Makes Its Way Into PlayStation Home |last=Linger |first=Elliot |date=26 August 2009 |publisher=SCE |access-date=26 August 2009}}</ref>

=== Cameos ===
'''''[[Pain (video game)|Pain]]''''' – Buzz is a downloadable add-on characters for the game, and he has 2 different costumes to wear.

'''''[[LittleBigPlanet]]''''' – Buzz is an add-on costume for the game's Sackboy character. It features a Buzz skin (for his red suit), Buzz hair, Buzz glasses, and a Buzz tie.

'''''[[PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale]]''''' – Buzz is featured in the [[PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale]] level, Dreamscape, based on [[LittleBigPlanet]] which eventually gets invaded by Buzz!. As the level progresses Buzz appears standing in the background. Buzz occasionally asks questions about PlayStation Trivia with the four answers being split up and attached onto four platforms on the level on which players must stand to indicate their choice, an incorrect answer results in a punishment such as a Cream-pie being thrown at the incorrect players.

'''''[[Astro's Playroom]]''''' – The Buzz peripheral is featured as an unlockable item for the 'Labo' room, an area used to display digital collectables from Playstation's history. The Buzz collectible is unlocked by finding it hidden within the SSD Speedway level.

'''''[[Astro Bot]]''''' – A V.I.P. Bot wearing a Buzz outfit can be rescued from the level 'Shocking Behavior'. The bot is referred to as Quiz Master in-game. A Buzz! Buzzer (referred to as Trivia Testers) can be won inside the 'Gatcha Lab' and given to the Buzz V.I.P. Bot once awarded.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [http://www.buzzthegame.com/ Buzz! official site]

{{Buzz! video games}}

[[Category:Buzz!| ]]
[[Category:Party video games]]
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment franchises]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Lua (programming language)-scripted video games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2005]]