Among Us: The Indie Game That Helped Us Tackle the Pandemic

“Among Us” is a social deduction game that has taken the world by storm, but its origins are surprisingly humble. According to Wes Fenlon (PC Gamer, 2020), the game was developed by a small indie studio called InnerSloth, which consisted of just three people (1). 

The game was initially inspired by the party game “Mafia,” in which players must trust each other and work together to root out the hidden mafia members among them. The developers wanted to create a digital version of this concept, and thus, “Among Us” was born. Interestingly, the game had a slow start and only gained massive popularity two years after its release.

The game’s breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic when people sought new ways to connect with others online. As reported by Stu Felft in Playbite in 2024, the game skyrocketed in popularity after popular Twitch streamers and YouTubers brought it to the attention of millions (2). The surging interest transformed “Among Us” from an obscure indie title into a global phenomenon virtually overnight.

The Evolution of Among Us Characters

One of the most iconic aspects of “Among Us” is its simple, colorful characters. The little astronauts have become instantly recognizable but didn’t always look like today. 

As detailed by Chris Kerr in an article for Game Developer in 2021, the characters’ original design was much more complex (3). The initial sketches included more detailed spacesuits and helmets.

Nonetheless, the developers decided to simplify the game design to make it more accessible and visually appealing, especially on mobile devices, where it is commonly played.

The simplicity of the character design also made it easy for players to personalize their avatars with different colors and hats. The current render appears smoother and uniform, with rounder shapes and more circular visors. 

Although the change is subtle, the simplified character models sometimes make it easier to implement new character animations, available cosmetics, and even colors. This decision to focus on simple, customizable characters made the game more accessible to grasp and relate to.

The Future of Among Us

Given the success of Among Us, it’s no surprise that the developers continue to make changes and upgrades. In 2024, the game is getting even more updates, with promised new roles, lobby tweaks, and better “Bean Fashion,” among a few other bits and pieces, says Ed Thorn, Reviews Editor at Rock Paper Shotgun (4). 

The developers say that while ensuring gamers are in for some very interesting lobbies, they can’t guarantee they’ll help players avoid an untimely ejection. However, one thing is clear: it will make games more exciting. 

Thorn also said that game developer InnerSloth has big plans for Among Us’s future. They have revealed that those who like to dress up their little backstabbers in fun outfits will likely see new updates through many new cosmetic items. This focus on continuous improvement ensures that Among Us will remain a staple in the gaming community for years to come.

References

1. Stu Feldt. “What Was Among Us Inspired By? Unveiling the Game’s Creative Roots.” Playbite, March 19, 2024. | https://www.playbite.com/what-was-among-us-inspired-by/ 
2. Wes Fenlon. “How Among Us became so wildly popular.” PC Gamer, September 25, 2020. | https://www.pcgamer.com/how-among-us-became-so-popular/ 
3. Chris Kerr. “Early Among Us character concepts depict the birth of the bean” Game Developer, October 8, 2020. | https://www.gamedeveloper.com/art/early-i-among-us-i-character-concepts-depict-the-birth-of-the-bean
4. Ed Thorn. “Among Us is getting new roles, better lobby filtering, and more bean fashion.” Rock Paper Shotgun, May 9, 2024. | https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/among-us-is-getting-new-roles-better-lobby-filtering-and-more-bean-fashion