In an era dominated by fast-paced shooters and massive open-world adventures, Among Us emerged as a surprising viral hit, not because of cutting-edge graphics or realistic gameplay, but thanks to its unique take on deception, teamwork, and communication. Originally released in 2018 by the indie studio Innersloth, Among Us saw a meteoric rise in popularity in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With its colorful crewmates, mysterious impostors, and chaotic emergency meetings, the game created a new form of social gaming—one where lying is part of the fun.
The Humble Beginnings of Among Us
Quiet Launch and Initial Struggles
Among Us launched in June 2018 as a small mobile and PC title inspired by party games like Mafia and Werewolf. Despite its clever premise, it garnered little attention at first. Its simple 2D art and minimal marketing budget meant it flew under the radar. The game featured one map (The Skeld) and a basic set of tasks, but its core gameplay—identifying and ejecting the hidden Impostor—was already solid.
Unexpected Surge in Popularity
In 2020, a perfect storm of factors led to Among Us exploding in popularity. With the world in lockdown due to the pandemic, people were looking for ways to socialize remotely. Popular Twitch streamers and YouTubers like Sodapoppin, Pokimane, and PewDiePie began streaming the game, showcasing its chaotic fun and hilarious betrayals. Suddenly, Among Us was everywhere—from memes and TikTok trends to classroom activities and celebrity livestreams.
Core Gameplay and Mechanics
The Setup: Crewmates vs Impostors
Among Us places 4 to 15 players on a spaceship or alien facility. Players are randomly assigned the role of Crewmate or Impostor. The goal of Crewmates is to complete tasks and identify the Impostors, while Impostors must eliminate Crewmates and sabotage the mission without getting caught. The game’s tension arises from the blend of cooperation and suspicion.
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Crewmates: Complete tasks, report dead bodies, call emergency meetings, vote out suspected Impostors
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Impostors: Sabotage systems, sneak through vents, frame others, kill without being seen
Meetings, Discussions, and Voting
When a body is found or an emergency meeting is called, the game shifts into a discussion phase. Players communicate—either via text or voice chat—accusing, defending, and attempting to piece together what happened. Then a vote occurs. Players can choose to vote someone out or skip the vote entirely. The player with the most votes is ejected from the ship, whether innocent or guilty.
This mix of logic, deception, and group dynamics is what makes Among Us so addictive.
Maps and Environments
The Skeld: The Iconic Original Map
The Skeld, the first and most recognizable map, is a spaceship filled with narrow corridors and task-based rooms. Its design promotes player interaction and suspicion—who was in Electrical? Why were you near Medbay?
Expanding the Universe
As the game grew, new maps were added:
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MIRA HQ: A futuristic base with more open pathways
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Polus: A snow-covered outpost with outdoor areas
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The Airship: The largest map, inspired by Innersloth’s Henry Stickmin series, with ladders, new tasks, and customizable starting locations
Each map changes the dynamics of the game, encouraging players to adapt their strategies depending on layout
