Official Among Us game logo and promotional artwork with crewmate characters.

Among Us

2020gaming/memedeclining

Published March 10, 2026

Also known as: Among Us Meme · AU

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.

among us gaming slang memes 2020 memes

Overview

Among Us, 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.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions