Bunker game rules: how to play online

The full guide to the online version of the «Bunker» board game — the official adaptation by Economicus publishing (edition 3.3), including the Bunker-B, Alpha, and 18+ sets. Inside — the goal of the game, rounds, character cards, voting and expulsion mechanics, modes and the afterparty.

What is Bunker?

Bunker is a social survival game where each player gets a unique character with a set of traits. The world has been hit by a catastrophe, and a group of survivors has to decide who deserves a place in the only available bunker.

Each round, players reveal their cards in turn, argue why they should be saved, and vote to expel the least useful candidate. AI players have unique personalities and join the discussion on equal footing with live participants.

The online version is the official adaptation of the «Bunker» board game by Economicus (game designed by Oksana Soldatova), including content from Bunker 3.3, Bunker-B, Bunker Generation Alpha, and additional content.

Starting a game

To create a game you need an access code — an 8-character code issued by the administrator. Enter the code on the homepage, pick the number of players (4 to 8), and press «Create game».

Once created, you'll land in the lobby where you can configure the game before launch: pick the card set, the AI model, and the personalities of the AI players.

Homepage

Inviting friends

In the lobby, press «Invite» — the link to the game gets copied to your clipboard. Send it to your friends and they can join by taking a free slot.

The host can manage slots: add or remove seats with the +/− buttons next to the player count, and free up taken slots for offline players.

Host capabilities

The host is the player who created the game (entered the access code). They own the party and are responsible for setup and progression.

Pre-game settings:

  • AI model selection — pick a model for each AI player (Gemini, Claude, GPT)
  • AI personalities — assign a unique personality to each AI player
  • Card set — choose from the available card sets
  • Slot management — add/remove slots, free up taken ones
  • Start the game — only the host can start

During the game, the host watches the dynamics. If a player goes offline or stops responding, the host can replace them with an AI — the bot picks up the character and keeps the game moving without holding up the rest.

Lobby

Card sets

The game has 1030 cards split across five sets. The host picks one or several in the game settings.

Base sets (at least one is required):

  • Starter (75 cards) — a compact set, great for getting acquainted with the game and short rounds.
  • Classic (331 cards) — the main set, fully matching the «Bunker» edition 3.3 board game by Economicus.
  • Bunker-B (331 cards) — darker, harsher tone: bleak catastrophes, brutal cards, provocative facts.

Add-on sets (only added together with a base set):

  • Alpha (331 cards) — the «Generation Alpha» youth set: modern professions, social media, current phobias.
  • 18+ (47 cards) — for adult company only, contains explicit cards and situations.

Sets can be combined — for example, «Classic + Alpha» gives 662 cards in the deck, while «Bunker-B + 18+» is the harshest version of the game.

Player line-ups

Bunker supports different line-ups from 4 to 8 players (the maximum will be increased later):

AI Theatre — All players are AI. Watch the unique personalities argue.

Solo — One human among AI players. Try to convince the bots that you're worth saving.

Mix — A few humans + AI. The optimal mode for a small group.

Humans only — All slots taken by live players. The classic format.

AI Personalities

Each AI player can be assigned a personality — it defines their speech style and table strategy. A subscription unlocks more personalities.

Free

Bulldozer Bulldozer — Rude and blunt, cuts straight to the point

Hysteric Hysteric — Panicker, dramatises every situation

Pokerface Pokerface — Totally indifferent — praised or about to be exiled, zero reaction

Star Star — Narcissist, makes everything about themselves and their merits

Basic subscription

Conspirator Conspirator — Paranoid, sees plots and hidden motives

Comedian Comedian — Cracks jokes, puns, dark humour

Puppeteer Puppeteer — Schemer, manipulates through flattery and diplomacy

Hippie Hippie — Peace-loving flower child about the cosmos and karma, doesn't want to exile anyone

Premium subscription

Lecher Lecher — Turns everything into sexual innuendo, pushy-playful

Nanny Nanny — Fawns and sucks up through smothering care — anything to avoid being exiled

Martyr Martyr — Complains about uselessness in a way that highlights his strengths

Challenger Challenger — Everything is a dare or a bet, provokes loud statements

Prophet Prophet — Sees Design in the catastrophe, quotes non-existent scriptures

Diplomat Diplomat — Defuses any conflict with polite phrasing — and smuggles his own interest underneath

Trader Trader — Open bargaining: a vote for a revealed card, alliance till round three

Rebel Rebel — Against the majority on principle, blows up calm discussions

You can break down the persuasion techniques of all 16 AI personalities at the «Silver Tongue» Academy of Persuasion.

Game rules

Character cards

Each player gets 6 cards: Profession, Biology (sex/age), Health, Hobby, Baggage, and Fact. Cards are revealed gradually throughout the game. Support for Special Conditions cards will be added later.

Rounds and reveals

The game lasts 5 rounds. In the first round everyone automatically reveals their Profession. In rounds 2–5 each player chooses which card to open.

Discussion and voting

After cards are revealed, the discussion starts — each player speaks in turn, arguing for their value to the bunker or proposing a candidate for expulsion. Then there's a simultaneous vote — all players, including those already expelled, vote at the same time.

Each turn lasts 1 minute, voting lasts 30 seconds. If time runs out, the host gets the option to replace the player with an AI — the bot finishes the turn for them.

Expulsion and ties

The player with the most votes is expelled. In case of a tie, the candidates give a defence speech, after which a re-vote is held. If that ends in a tie too — the expelled player is chosen at random.

Life after expulsion

Expulsion is not the end of the game. Both groups (the bunker and the outside) have a chance to survive, but the bunker has more resources and a significantly higher probability.

The expelled stay «by the campfire» — they continue to take part in discussions and voting alongside everyone else.

The motivation of the expelled shifts: now their goal is to expel those who would be useful to them outside, forming their own survival group beyond the bunker.

Voting table

PlayersRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5
41 expel1 expel
51 expel1 expel1 expel
61 expel1 expel1 expel
71 expel1 expel1 expel1 expel
81 expel1 expel1 expel1 expel

The number of expulsions per round depends on the player count.

Game screen

«Revival» mode

Available with 6 or more players. An alternative goal: instead of plain bunker survival, the group has to ensure continuation of the species — among the survivors there must be a different-sex couple.

This mode radically changes strategy: now sex and age become key factors, and AI players take reproductive potential into account when making decisions.

The mode is selected when creating the game via the toggle next to the player count.

Afterparty

Once the game ends, the AI automatically analyses the survival chances of both groups — those who made it into the bunker and those left outside.

The analysis covers 7 factors:

  1. Professional potential
  2. Psychological compatibility
  3. Group health
  4. Practical skills
  5. Resources and gear
  6. Adaptability
  7. Bunker features

For each group, a survival probability is calculated, a timeline of key events is laid out, and a final verdict is given. In «Revival» mode an 8th factor is added — reproductive potential.

Achievements, profile and rare cards

Bunker isn't just about single games — progress builds up behind them. Every game adds to the stats in your personal profile, unlocks achievements (there are many, across 4 categories) and earns you rare cards — special rewards that can't be bought, only earned: through achievements, invited friends and the length of your subscription. Your profile gathers the history of all your games, your collection progress and the rewards you've earned, and if you like you can open it at a personal link and share your results with friends.

Rare collectible cards in Bunker Online

You carry your collection into any game: if the host enables rare cards, they get mixed into the shared deal and make the table more varied. For the details — what earns achievements and rare cards, how to invite friends and manage your profile's privacy — see the «Profile, rare cards and achievements» page.

Player achievements in Bunker Online

FAQ

How long does one game last?

Usually 30–40 minutes. Each player's turn is capped at one minute, voting at 30 seconds, so the game stays dynamic and doesn't drag.

Can I play with two people or alone?

Yes. Bunker is designed for 4–8 players, but the missing ones are filled by AI bots. You can play alone against bots or with two friends and a couple of AI characters.

Do I need a host/moderator?

No. The AI runs the game itself — deals cards, announces rounds, launches votes, and reads out the catastrophe. No live host, no chat timers needed.

Is the game free?

Yes. The base game is free, no registration required. There are paid subscriptions for those who play often and want more access codes.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes, the game runs in any modern browser — on desktop, phone, or tablet. The site can be installed as a PWA app on your home screen.

What if a player drops out mid-game?

The host can replace them with an AI — the bot picks up the character with the same cards and continues the game without slowing the others down.

Can I mix live players and bots?

Yes, that's the main mode. Invite friends via the link, and the empty slots will be taken by AI players with different personalities.

How do the card sets differ?

Starter — getting acquainted with the game, Classic — the canonical Bunker 3.3, Bunker-B — dark tone, Alpha — youth vibe, 18+ — adults only. See the «Card sets» section above for details.

Ready to play?

Invite friends via a link or fill the company with AI bots. Free, no registration, right in your browser.