The popularity of the game Among Us has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The social deduction game (based on the party game mafia) takes place primarily on a spaceship, where crewmates root out a murderous imposter.

The game can be played with four to ten players and lasts five to fifteen minutes. Based on the settings chosen, one to three imposters are randomly selected before the game starts. The crewmates race to finish their tasks before the imposters outnumber the crewmates. 

Meanwhile, the imposter(s) tries to sabotage crewmates and kill them undetected. When a corpse is discovered or someone presses the emergency button, a meeting is called where players have the chance to vote out someone they suspect of being an imposter.

On the surface, Among Us may seem like one of the many typical social deduction games floating around on the internet. However, the game stands out because of a multitude of unique features. Unlike other mafia games, the players are able to walk around a map while they play, creating room for more advanced gameplay. 

Other features include the task system. Crewmates move around the map and complete minigames while avoiding people they believe to be guilty or sticking with people they know are innocent. Imposters have tricks such as using vents to avoid being caught in a place close to a body, or shutting off the oxygen to force crewmates to congregate in locations away from corpses. These unique elements of the game add a level of depth that makes it much more enjoyable.

The game’s surging popularity, earning it the top spot in downloads this October, may also be attributed to its appeal to a large audience, with a style of gameplay suited for both beginner and advanced players. Unlike many other games that are too easy or take too long to learn, Among Us has found a happy medium. 

Because of the simple structure of the game, beginners are able to get started easily. As they advance, players can learn to use more complicated mechanics, such as tracking fellow players via cameras, watching people complete tasks that raise the task bar or figuring out when someone must have traveled by vents. As an imposter, players can learn to fake tasks or trick crewmates into vouching for them. 

Among Us offers players endless hours of exploration. In fact, there are a total of three different maps: one in a spaceship, one in Earth’s atmosphere and one on an alien planet. Players can switch around and play on different maps for a change of pace, or play one of the unique game modes such as hide and seek. A new map will be released soon (though a date has not been announced), not to mention a constant release of new features to keep players invested.

The past six months of quarantine have certainly contributed to the game’s popularity. Because of the pandemic, many people are forced to stay at home. Among Us provides a way for people to both have fun and socialize with others, helping to combat boredom and isolation.

The pandemic isn’t the only reason for the game’s outrageous popularity. Social media platforms such as Twitch and Youtube contribute to its appeal as well. Creators on these platforms with wide reach have promoted the game when they introduced it in their content. 

New creators were able to gain fans through the platforms when people were entertained by their gameplay. The use of these platforms is tied so closely with Among Us’s success that even Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed the game on Twitch (you can watch it on Youtube now), peaking at 430 thousand concurrent viewers. 

However, the game is not without its pitfalls. Because it was made by a small development team of three people, the game’s code is not the best. The game suffers from many bugs, such as one where a player’s name or entire character turns invisible. Furthermore, while the game has been around since 2018, its creators do not seem to have been prepared for its popularity. Players often face connection issues which may randomly drop them from the game. 

The game is also extremely susceptible to hacking, which has ruined many players’ experience. Recently, a hacker by the name of Eris Loris has hacked over a million games, disconnecting players and filling the chat with Trump propaganda and self promotion.

Despite these issues, the game is extremely entertaining and can provide many hours of fun, whether playing oneself or watching someone else play. The game’s popularity is well deserved, with over 100 million downloads, a number that is sure to increase. Among Us is a great game to try if you haven’t already, especially if you are looking for something fun to do during quarantine.