It is no secret that 2020 has been extremely draining for all Americans. In the span of nearly ten months, we have somehow managed to experience a great deal: from a global pandemic, to massive protests, killer wasps, a significantly controversial election, numerous natural disasters, and the list goes on. To describe this year as exhausting, would be quite an understatement. But there is no need to worry folks; there is hope after all, and no, it is not Superman! Instead, one of the internet’s newest trends, the space murder mystery game, Among Us, is shedding some light on a seemingly terrible year, instilling optimism for the future in the hearts of its players.

  So what even is Among Us? Simply put, Among Us is an online multiplayer science fiction murder mystery game that was created in June 2018. In the game, players are astronauts on a spaceship that play as one of two characters: a crew member or an imposter. The crew member’s job is to complete routine tasks that allow the spaceship to run smoothly and to work with their crewmates to determine who the imposter is. As an imposter, your role is to kill the crewmates and divert suspicion to other players to avoid getting caught. Among Us requires skillful thinking and involves aspects of trust and manipulation, making it similar to games like Mafia and Werewolf.

  Despite coming out over two years ago, Among Us is currently the number one streamed game in the United States. The culprits for the game’s rapid rise to popularity are its convenience during the pandemic and its support from well-known gamers and celebrities. Because the game requires social interaction between players, it is a perfect and timely way for people to “hang out” with their friends while in quarantine. Additionally, Among Us has been popularized by famous gamers on sites like the gaming hub Twitch and by influential celebrities and influencers on social networks, specifically Youtube and Tik Tok. Even beloved American politician, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, engaged in the fun, streaming Among Us as she played for a virtual audience in hopes of encouraging younger people to vote. 

  You may be wondering how to even play Among Us. There are actually two ways to play: online with random players or with friends using a game code. You can play with a maximum of ten people; two of the players being imposters. “The best way to play is with [multiple] imposters; I just love the thrill,” senior Lauren McShea stated. Once you begin the game, the crew mates try to complete as many tasks around their spaceship before getting killed by an imposter. Additionally, crewmates vote out players they believe are the imposter. Meanwhile, the imposter tries to kill all the crew mates in order to win. As an imposter you have to constantly sabotage the crew members and lie in order to prevent the other players from thinking you are ‘sus’ and voting you out. The game ends either when the imposter has killed everyone or the crew mates have voted out all of the impostors. 

  Overall, Among Us is a game that requires quick wit and critical thinking. It allows you to interact with others and it inspires relief during these troubling times. Senior Lauren McShea summed it up perfectly: “Among Us is [actually] so fun, silly, and definitely a game for all ages!” While, Among Us’ fame may be temporary, the game  is certainly changing the world now!