Talk about a sleeper hit! Among Us, a simple multiplayer game that originally launched in 2018, suddenly exploded in popularity in the late summer and early fall of 2020. Developed by the small indie team at InnerSloth, Among Us tasks players with either completing tasks on a spaceship (as Crewmates) or secretly sabotaging the mission and eliminating the Crewmates (as the Imposter).
The core gameplay is all about deception and deduction. Crewmates need to figure out who the Imposter is before they’re all eliminated, while the Imposter needs to blend in and take out the Crewmates one by one. The real magic happens during emergency meetings, where players can discuss who they think is sus (suspicious) and vote to eject them from the ship.
What fueled this sudden surge in popularity? A few key factors seem to have played a role:
- Twitch and YouTube: Popular streamers and content creators started playing the game, introducing it to their massive audiences. The social deduction aspect makes for incredibly entertaining and often hilarious streams.
- Simplicity and Accessibility: The game’s rules are easy to grasp, and it’s available on PC and mobile (with the mobile version being free!), making it accessible to a wide range of players.
- Social Interaction: In a time when people were looking for ways to connect online, Among Us‘s focus on communication and teamwork (or betrayal!) made it a perfect social game.
InnerSloth has been actively supporting the game with updates, adding new maps, tasks, and features to keep the fun going. If you haven’t jumped on the Among Us bandwagon yet, you’re missing out on a seriously fun and engaging social gaming experience. Just be careful who you trust… you never know who the Imposter might be!