Among Us

It’s Wednesday, June 25, 2025, here in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the iconic social deduction game that once defined a pandemic-era phenomenon is far from over. Among Us, developed by Innersloth and now supported by Schell Games for its 3D rendition, has skillfully navigated the post-hype landscape by embracing bold innovation. With the official launch of Among Us 3D on PC in May 2025, alongside a steady stream of new roles, maps, and an unwavering commitment to its core “crewmate vs. impostor” tension, the game continues to be a captivating experience for millions, proving that deception never goes out of style, even as it leaps into new dimensions.

Among Us: The Enduring Core of Deception

At its heart, Among Us is a game of simple yet profound social deduction. A group of colorful Crewmates aboard a spaceship (or various other unique locations) must complete tasks to keep their vessel running smoothly. Hidden among them are Impostors, whose goal is to covertly sabotage systems, murder Crewmates, and sow enough distrust to avoid being discovered and ejected. The genius lies in the emergent social dynamics:

• Communication and Deduction: Players must use their wits, observational skills, and powers of persuasion during emergency meetings to identify the Impostors. Lies, alibis, and accusations fly, making every discussion a thrilling psychological battle. This reliance on social deduction mechanics is paramount.
• Sabotage and Misdirection: Impostors strategically use sabotages (like turning out lights, disabling comms, or depleting oxygen) to create chaos, split up Crewmates, and facilitate kills, adding a layer of strategic depth to their deception.
• Simple Controls, Deep Gameplay: The minimalist controls allow for easy pick-up and play, yet the social mechanics offer endless strategic possibilities and high replayability.
• Multiple Maps: The game features various maps (The Skeld, Mira HQ, Polus, The Airship, and The Fungle), each with unique layouts, tasks, and venting systems, adding variety and new challenges to the deduction process. “The Fungle,” a mushroom jungle map, was a major addition in October 2023.

The 2025 Evolution: Among Us Goes 3D and Beyond

InnerSloth and Schell Games have truly reimagined the experience for 2025, with the launch of Among Us 3D (formerly known as Among Us VR) being the biggest leap:

• Among Us 3D on PC (Launched May 6, 2025): This is a monumental release, bringing the immersive 3D experience to PC players, with full PC-VR crossplay functionality with existing VR versions (Meta Quest, Steam VR, PlayStation VR2, PICO). This allows a broader audience to experience the game’s tension and interactions in a whole new dimension, making the experience even more visceral. The game rebranded from Among Us VR to Among Us 3D on February 20, 2025, ahead of its PC launch, emphasizing its accessibility beyond just virtual reality headsets.
• New Permanent Game Mode: Tag Mode! (Launched May 6, 2025, in Among Us 3D): This exciting new mode introduces an “Infected versus Crewmates” dynamic. Infected players try to “tag” and convert Crewmates to expand their ranks, while Crewmates must complete a set number of tasks (with new power-ups for task completion like Invisibility, Detection, Guardian, Stun, and Vent) to win. This offers a faster-paced, more active version of the social deduction formula, requiring a minimum of 6 players and providing fresh gameplay mechanics. Polus Point has also been altered for Tag Mode, with Quarry and Specimen inaccessible, and all other vents connected.
• New and Returning Tasks: Among Us 3D features new and reimagined classic tasks with immersive first-person controls, including the beloved (and dreaded) swipe card mini-game.
• Upcoming New Roles: InnerSloth has consistently expanded gameplay with new roles, and 2025 is no exception. After popular additions like the Engineer (can fix sabotages and vent), Scientist (can check vitals from anywhere), Guardian Angel (can shield surviving Crewmates), Shapeshifter (Impostor who can disguise), Noisemaker, and Tracker, InnerSloth confirmed in their 2025 roadmap that up to four more roles are coming by year’s end. Teased concepts include “The Alchemist” (can neutralize or detect poisons), “The Bounty Hunter” (tasks with eliminating a specific Crewmate), “The Mimic” (can copy another player’s role), and “The Whisperer” (a support role that can “see” Crewmates in distress). These new roles add immense complexity and replayability to the social deduction, constantly forcing players to adapt their strategies.
• New Maps and Social Hubs: While “The Fungle” map was added in 2023, InnerSloth has teased additional new maps for 2025 in their roadmap, with one rumored to be a “deserted metropolis” with vertical levels, hinting at even more complex environments for deception. There are also plans for a “Social Hub” where players can interact outside of matches, fostering a stronger community connection.
• Voice Chat Enhancements: Continuous improvements to native proximity voice chat are a priority, aiming for clearer communication and better moderation, which is crucial for the game’s social deduction core.
• Cosmetics and Collaborations: As always, a constant stream of new cosmetics (hats, skins, pets, visors, nameplates) keeps the game fresh and allows for player expression. In March 2025, a major Like A Dragon x Among Us crossover (Kamurocho Cosmicube) (available until June 23, 2025) brought outfits for characters like Kazuma Kiryu, Ichiban Kasuga, and Goro Majima, along with Dragon-themed pets, appealing to fans of both franchises. Another notable collaboration, Among Us x Critical Role, introduced “Gilmore’s Curious Cosmicube” with items inspired by the popular TTRPG show, including a unique Impostor kill animation for Chetney. These high-profile collaborations demonstrate Among Us’s enduring cultural relevance and provide exciting new content for players, serving as effective digital marketing.