As the pandemic treads on, a resurgence of the 2018 indie game, “Among Us”, has attracted a tidal wave of users thirsting for human-contact to their servers. Most players of the game are those who were born between 1995-2012, also known as Generation Z.
“Among Us” is an online adaptation of the classic party game, “Mafia.” Though “Mafia” is usually played in social gatherings with friends, both games have similar objectives: To find the killer(s). “Among Us” is space-themed, consisting of a total of ten astronauts per space shuttle; everyone is a crewmate, save for the max of three Imposters. The goal of the crewmates in “Among Us” is to catch the Imposter(s) and finish all the tasks on the map. Whereas the Imposter’s aim is to annihilate all the crewmates as fast as possible, before they are discovered. If a dead body is reported, the players enter a discussion round where they voice their suspicions to rule out the Iimposter. The Imposters have to successfully lie to the other crewmates to gain their trust. If a crewmate is voted out, they return to the map as a ghost to finish their tasks before the Imposter can win the game. If an Imposter is voted out, they can aid their accomplice by sabotaging the ship.
Due to the suspense and the thrill from the video game, it quickly became trendy amongst the gaming community on Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Videos from content creators such as Pewdiepie, Disguised Toast, and Corpse Husband show cunning tactics and ultimate betrayals helped revive the game’s popularity. Since the new flood of players in October, the game has received “overwhelmingly positive” reviews on Steam. Senior Austin Lee states, “If streamers and influencers did not play this game, then I wouldn’t have heard of Among Us .” Additionally, the video game is available on the App Store and Google Play for free and can be purchased on Steam for $4.99. Since the game is affordable and inexpensive, it allows cross-platform gameplay, where PC and mobile users can play simultaneously.
“I think what makes “Among Us” enjoyable is how we can play with friends and work together to find the imposter. However, if you get assigned as the imposter, it’s exciting and you have to find ways to lie and work your way around,.” concludes junior Chelsea Chen.