Among Us Introduction:
Among Us, developed and published by Innersloth, is an online multiplayer social deduction game that debuted in 2018. Drawing inspiration from the Mafia party game and the science fiction horror film, The Thing, Among Us offers cross-platform compatibility. Initially released on iOS and Android devices in June 2018 and subsequently on Windows in November of the same year, it expanded its reach to the Nintendo Switch in December 2020, and later to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in December 2021. A virtual reality version, Among Us VR, was launched on November 10, 2022.
The game unfolds in space-themed settings featuring colorful, armless cartoon astronauts. Players assume one of two roles: Crewmates or Impostors. Crewmates strive to complete assigned tasks while identifying and voting out suspected Impostors, who closely resemble Crewmates. Impostors aim to eliminate Crewmates.
Gameplay:
Although initially launched with limited fanfare in 2018, Among Us gained immense popularity in 2020, thanks to the involvement of many Twitch streamers and YouTubers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics lauded its enjoyable and entertaining gameplay, while the game's characters became a frequent subject of internet memes.
Among Us accommodates four to fifteen players, with up to three players randomly chosen as Impostors each round. The game features four playable maps: "The Skeld," a spaceship; "MIRA HQ," an office building; "Polus," a planet base; and "The Airship," based on Innersloth's Henry Stickmin series. Crewmates can win by completing tasks or ejecting all Impostors, while Impostors can win by eliminating all Crewmates, ejecting them, or sabotaging vital systems on the map.
Crewmates receive tasks in the form of minigames and puzzles to maintain essential systems such as fixing wires and downloading data. Impostors, unable to complete tasks, can pretend to do so while executing sabotages and eliminating nearby Crewmates.
Various surveillance systems on each map help Crewmates identify Impostors, including security cameras, door log systems, and a vitals indicator. Certain "visual tasks" offer animated cues that Crewmates can use to confirm each other's identities.
Players can initiate group meetings by reporting dead bodies or pressing an Emergency Meeting button. During meetings, players discuss their suspicions via in-game text chat or external voice chat applications. Impostors may lie to conceal their identity or falsely accuse others. After discussion, players vote for the suspected Impostor, with the most votes leading to ejection. Ejected players become ghosts, able to perform tasks (Crewmates) or sabotages (Impostors) but invisible and unable to interact with living players.
A November 2021 update introduced specialized roles, such as Engineers, Scientists, Guardian Angels, and Shapeshifters. Engineers can use vents like Impostors, Scientists can check vitals, and Ghosts can become Guardian Angels to protect living players. Impostors can temporarily morph into other players as Shapeshifters.
Final Words:
In December 2022, an alternative 'Hide and Seek' game mode was added, where a single Impostor seeks to eliminate all Crewmates within a fixed timer, with no meetings or ejections.
Players can customize gameplay aspects, like movement speed, emergency meetings, tasks, and visual tasks, before each game. They can also personalize their appearance with cosmetics through microtransactions.
Among Us drew inspiration from the party game Mafia and the film The Thing. Marcus Bromander, co-founder of Innersloth, initiated the concept, and development commenced in November 2017. Originally intended as a local multiplayer mobile game with a single map, it evolved into a space-themed setting with tasks. The game's development was characterized by challenges and playtesting, leading to numerous improvements.
Among Us initially launched on mobile platforms in June 2018, later arriving on Steam in November 2018 with support for cross-platform play. The game's audio was added during the Steam release.
Innersloth introduced additional maps over time, initially paid and later made free, as the game's player base steadily grew due to regular updates and the studio's financial stability.
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