Among Us

2020gaming/memedeclining

Also known as: AMONG US · Among Us · Among Us Meme · AU

Among Us is a 2020 gaming meme centered on the social deduction game of the same name, defined by the viral catchphrase 'sus' and its iconic red crewmate character.

Among Us is a meme surrounding the popular social deduction game of the same name, particularly the phrase 'sus' and the game's iconic red crewmate character. The meme exploded in popularity in 2020 before declining in relevance.

Overview

Among Us is a social deduction game where players work together to complete tasks while voting out suspected imposters. The game's simplicity, low price, and social gameplay made it perfect for streaming and collective entertainment. The concept of accusation and suspicion naturally spawned meme culture. The red crewmate character became the iconic image of the meme, appearing in countless variations and references. The word 'sus' (short for suspicious) became internet slang during the game's peak popularity, used beyond gaming contexts to suggest suspicion.

Among Us was developed by Innersloth and released in 2018, but remained relatively obscure for two years. During 2020, particularly when major streamers began playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the game exploded in popularity. The timing coincided with people seeking entertainment and social connection while isolated. The game's appeal lies in its social deduction mechanic, players must identify who is lying based on behavior and accusation. This mechanic naturally creates entertainment value for viewers and participants, making it perfect for streaming platforms.

Origin & Background

Platform
Video Game/Twitch
Creator
Innersloth
Date
2020

Among Us is a multiplayer social deduction game where players work to identify imposters. The game's simplicity and fun mechanics led to viral streaming and internet culture adoption, spawning countless memes and internet slang.

How It Spread

Among Us exploded in popularity during 2020 when streamers and content creators played the game on Twitch and YouTube. The game's social nature made it entertaining to watch, and the concept of 'sussing out' imposters led to widespread adoption of the word 'sus' in internet culture.

The meme reached peak saturation in late 2020 and early 2021, becoming everywhere across all platforms. The red crewmate character became iconic, and references to the game appeared in everything from memes to merchandise. However, the meme's popularity declined rapidly as the novelty wore off.

Platforms

TwitchYouTubeRedditTwitterTikTokDiscord

Timeline

2020-01-01

Among Us first appeared on Video Game/Twitch

2021+

Meme popularity declines significantly as novelty wears off

2022-01-01

Among Us reached mainstream popularity and media coverage

2023-01-01

Brands and companies started using Among Us in marketing

June 2020

Among Us released but remains relatively unknown

October-December 2020

Among Us memes reach saturation; 'sus' becomes inescapable

September 2020

Game gains traction through streamer popularity

View on Google Trends

How to Use This Meme

Use Among Us memes to reference the game, the red crewmate character, or the concept of 'sus' behavior. The format works for accusations of suspicious behavior, references to the game's mechanics, or citations of the overwhelming presence of Among Us content during its peak.

1

Learn the Among Us format by looking at popular examples

2

Think of a situation or joke that fits the meme perfectly

3

Create your own version of Among Us using a meme tool or app

4

Share it where your audience will get the reference

Create Your Own

Cultural Impact

Among Us demonstrated the strength of social streaming to create viral events around previously unknown games. The meme showed how game mechanics could generate internet slang that transcends the game itself. 'Sus' became widely used across the internet as general slang for suspicious behavior. The meme's rapid decline is notable, showing how novelty-based memes can quickly become fatiguing. Among Us represented 2020 the internet but failed to achieve evergreen status like earlier gaming memes.

Fun Facts

Among Us was released in 2018 but remained obscure for two years before exploding in 2020

The game was originally a mobile game but gained popularity on PC through streaming platforms

The red crewmate became iconic, spawning countless variations and merchandise

'Sus' became such unavoidable slang that it appeared in dictionaries and mainstream media

Among Us memes became so saturated that they inspired backlash and meme fatigue by early 2021

The Among Us meme has been shared millions of times across social media

You can create your own Among Us meme using free tools like Imgflip

Among Us first appeared in 2020

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Brands and marketers have used Among Us in their campaigns

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Derivatives & Variations

Red crewmate variations in different scenarios and expressions

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

'Sus' variants and uses in non-gaming contexts

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

Memes about the saturation and decline of Among Us content

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

Frequently Asked Questions

Among Us

2020gaming/memedeclining

Also known as: AMONG US · Among Us · Among Us Meme · AU

Among Us is a 2020 gaming meme centered on the social deduction game of the same name, defined by the viral catchphrase 'sus' and its iconic red crewmate character.

Among Us is a meme surrounding the popular social deduction game of the same name, particularly the phrase 'sus' and the game's iconic red crewmate character. The meme exploded in popularity in 2020 before declining in relevance.

Overview

Among Us is a social deduction game where players work together to complete tasks while voting out suspected imposters. The game's simplicity, low price, and social gameplay made it perfect for streaming and collective entertainment. The concept of accusation and suspicion naturally spawned meme culture. The red crewmate character became the iconic image of the meme, appearing in countless variations and references. The word 'sus' (short for suspicious) became internet slang during the game's peak popularity, used beyond gaming contexts to suggest suspicion.

Among Us was developed by Innersloth and released in 2018, but remained relatively obscure for two years. During 2020, particularly when major streamers began playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the game exploded in popularity. The timing coincided with people seeking entertainment and social connection while isolated. The game's appeal lies in its social deduction mechanic, players must identify who is lying based on behavior and accusation. This mechanic naturally creates entertainment value for viewers and participants, making it perfect for streaming platforms.

Origin & Background

Platform
Video Game/Twitch
Creator
Innersloth
Date
2020

Among Us is a multiplayer social deduction game where players work to identify imposters. The game's simplicity and fun mechanics led to viral streaming and internet culture adoption, spawning countless memes and internet slang.

How It Spread

Among Us exploded in popularity during 2020 when streamers and content creators played the game on Twitch and YouTube. The game's social nature made it entertaining to watch, and the concept of 'sussing out' imposters led to widespread adoption of the word 'sus' in internet culture.

The meme reached peak saturation in late 2020 and early 2021, becoming everywhere across all platforms. The red crewmate character became iconic, and references to the game appeared in everything from memes to merchandise. However, the meme's popularity declined rapidly as the novelty wore off.

Platforms

TwitchYouTubeRedditTwitterTikTokDiscord

Timeline

2020-01-01

Among Us first appeared on Video Game/Twitch

2021+

Meme popularity declines significantly as novelty wears off

2022-01-01

Among Us reached mainstream popularity and media coverage

2023-01-01

Brands and companies started using Among Us in marketing

June 2020

Among Us released but remains relatively unknown

October-December 2020

Among Us memes reach saturation; 'sus' becomes inescapable

September 2020

Game gains traction through streamer popularity

View on Google Trends

How to Use This Meme

Use Among Us memes to reference the game, the red crewmate character, or the concept of 'sus' behavior. The format works for accusations of suspicious behavior, references to the game's mechanics, or citations of the overwhelming presence of Among Us content during its peak.

1

Learn the Among Us format by looking at popular examples

2

Think of a situation or joke that fits the meme perfectly

3

Create your own version of Among Us using a meme tool or app

4

Share it where your audience will get the reference

Create Your Own

Cultural Impact

Among Us demonstrated the strength of social streaming to create viral events around previously unknown games. The meme showed how game mechanics could generate internet slang that transcends the game itself. 'Sus' became widely used across the internet as general slang for suspicious behavior. The meme's rapid decline is notable, showing how novelty-based memes can quickly become fatiguing. Among Us represented 2020 the internet but failed to achieve evergreen status like earlier gaming memes.

Fun Facts

Among Us was released in 2018 but remained obscure for two years before exploding in 2020

The game was originally a mobile game but gained popularity on PC through streaming platforms

The red crewmate became iconic, spawning countless variations and merchandise

'Sus' became such unavoidable slang that it appeared in dictionaries and mainstream media

Among Us memes became so saturated that they inspired backlash and meme fatigue by early 2021

The Among Us meme has been shared millions of times across social media

You can create your own Among Us meme using free tools like Imgflip

Among Us first appeared in 2020

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Brands and marketers have used Among Us in their campaigns

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Derivatives & Variations

Red crewmate variations in different scenarios and expressions

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

'Sus' variants and uses in non-gaming contexts

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

Memes about the saturation and decline of Among Us content

A variation of Among Us

(2020)

Frequently Asked Questions