The online game, Among Us, created by the American game studio InnerSloth and released in 2018, is sweeping its way across SNHU. Growing in popularity during remote learning, students are now playing the online game to connect with their fellow peers and step away from their demanding schedules.
The trending game is all students can talk about. Whether it is at a club meeting or during class, players are making comments such as, “red is sus,” “I was in navigation,” or “I’m not an imposter.”
How to Play
First, in order to play, the game needs to be bought and downloaded for free in the Play Store application or in the Apple store on a mobile device. It can alternatively be played on a computer for $5.99 on Steam.
The home screen gives two options: local or online play. Local gamers must be on the same Wi-Fi in order to play, where they have the option to host a session or select an existing game. Online players can choose to host a game, or select either a public or private session.
Public games will allow to either host a game or join an ongoing competition. In order to participate in a private session, players must be given the game code. Players have the option of talking to other members using the chat built into the game, or virtual meeting sites such as Discord, RingCentral, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
When joining a game, each person is given an avatar. Players have the choice to choose a name, as well as change their character’s suit color, apparel, and accessories.
Within the game, between 5 to 10 players are allowed, and each person is randomly given a role: crewmate or imposter. Determined by the game host, up to three imposters can be generated. The players are then dropped onto one of three maps chosen by the host.
Crewmates are required to perform their given tasks and avoid being killed by the imposter. Imposters can perform sabotages in specific areas of the map, go into vents to hide, and kill crewmates. Should a crewmate find the dead, they will then call a meeting. During the meeting, everyone is able to give their alibis and discuss who they think is the imposter.
When time is up for discussion, players are able to vote out one person of question. In order to win as a crewmate, all imposters must be voted out. For imposters to win, they can either perform sabotages that will kill all players at once, or can still be on board if there are few crewmates left.
Tips
Many students have played hundreds of games like Shane Brady, ‘23. During that time he has figured out the trick to winning as both imposter and crewmate.
“If you confidently believe someone is an Imposter and for some reason, the group thinks you’re it when you’re a crewmate, a quick way to flip the vote is saying, ‘It’s this “insert color/name of imposter” and if it’s not them vote me out next.’ Most people will flip their vote and if that person is really the imposter it helps other crewmates grow trust with you,” says Brady.
Brady continues. “… if I’m [the] imposter I’ll sabotage a door when there’s another player following someone to a task, which makes them look suspicious before me. Also, a quick tip is [to] pay attention to visual tasks to know who’s safe, and at the start of every round after a meeting watch to see if someone changes direction or floats in a hallway; it’s a great tell-tale to them being it.”
Conclusion
Playing Among Us is allowing for more connections between students during remote learning. As everyone continues social distancing, students can use the time to step away from their work and simply enjoy time with their friends.
“It’s a great way for people to connect; the game can require next to no thinking to play and as much as thinking like Sherlock Holmes which makes it great for many age groups and player types. The game also allows the brain to think more openly even when playing a video game while socializing,” says Brady.
