How to Play Among Us in Real Life with Friends
Everyone loves a good game night, and what better way to spice it up than with a real-life version of the popular online game, Among Us? Among Us was insanely popular during the pandemic, bringing together friends, families, and even strangers to test their deduction and deception skills. Now, you can bring that same energy and excitement into your own home or backyard with a live-action game of Among Us. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to set up the ultimate game night.
It's broken down as follows:
1. Setting Up the Game
2. Playing the Game
3. Tips and Tricks
4. Variations and Custom Rules
5. Creating Fun Physical Versions of Among Us Tasks
6. Executing Sabotages in Real Life
Section 1: Setting Up the Game
Gather Your Players
Aim for a group of 6-12 players.
Among Us works best with an even mix of ages and genders.
Make sure everyone is familiar with the basic rules of the online game.
Designate Roles
Assign roles randomly by drawing from a hat or using a randomizer app.
For 6-8 players, have one Impostor.
For 9-12 players, have two Impostors.
Choose a Location
Pick a spacious indoor or outdoor area with multiple "rooms" or zones.
Create a map of the area and identify tasks for Crewmates to complete.
Make sure the area is well-lit for safety.
Establish Boundaries and Rules
Set physical boundaries for the play area.
Establish a "safe zone" where players can call emergency meetings.
Determine a communication system (e.g., walkie-talkies, hand signals) for the Impostors.
Prepare Task Materials
Create physical versions of Among Us tasks, such as card swipes, wiring, or refueling.
Set up task stations in the designated zones.
Section 2: Playing the Game
Start the Game
Have all players gather in the safe zone to begin.
Give each player a list of tasks to complete.
Impostors should receive a list of fake tasks to pretend to complete.
Gameplay
Crewmates work on their tasks while trying to avoid Impostors.
Impostors attempt to "eliminate" Crewmates without being caught.
Impostors can also sabotage tasks to slow down Crewmates.
Reporting and Meetings
If a player finds an "eliminated" Crewmate, they can report it by yelling "dead body" or using a designated signal.
Once a body is reported or an emergency meeting is called, all players return to the safe zone for discussion.
Players must work together to figure out who the Impostors are, discussing their suspicions and sharing information.
Voting and Ejections
After discussion, players vote on who they believe is an Impostor.
The player with the most votes is "ejected" and must leave the game.
If players cannot agree, they can skip the vote and continue playing.
Winning the Game
Crewmates win if they complete all tasks or successfully eject all Impostors.
Impostors win if they eliminate enough Crewmates to equal their numbers.
Section 3: Tips and Tricks
Communication is Key
For Crewmates, sharing information about tasks and suspicious behavior is crucial.
For Impostors, effective communication with your fellow Impostor(s) can help avoid suspicion.
Trust No One
Remember that anyone could be an Impostor, even your closest friends or family members.
Be prepared to defend yourself if accused.
Observe Body Language and Behavior
Watch for unusual behavior or nervous body language that could indicate someone is an Impostor.
Crewmates should try to act natural and focused on their tasks to avoid suspicion.
Stick Together (But Not Too Much)
Crewmates can form pairs or small groups to reduce the risk of being eliminated by an Impostor.
However, be cautious of large groups, as it can be difficult to determine who is completing tasks and who is faking it.
Use Sabotages Wisely
For Impostors, strategic use of sabotages can create confusion and provide opportunities to eliminate Crewmates.
Crewmates should be prepared to respond to sabotages quickly to avoid losing the game.
Take Advantage of Hiding Spots
Both Crewmates and Impostors can use hiding spots to observe other players or avoid suspicion.
Be cautious when hiding, as it can also draw suspicion if you are discovered.
Section 4: Variations and Custom Rules
Additional Roles
Incorporate other roles from the online game, such as the Detective, Medic, or Engineer, to add more complexity and excitement to the game.
Make sure all players understand the additional roles and their abilities before starting.
Different Win Conditions
Adjust the win conditions for either the Crewmates or Impostors to make the game more challenging or easier, depending on your group's preferences.
Custom Tasks
Create your own unique tasks based on the interests and abilities of your group.
Make sure tasks are safe, age-appropriate, and engaging for all players.
Special Rules
Implement special rules, such as "silent play," where players are not allowed to talk during the game, or "speed rounds," where tasks must be completed as quickly as possible.
Be creative and have fun with your custom rules, but ensure they are fair and balanced for both Crewmates and Impostors.
Section 5: Creating Fun Physical Versions of Among Us Tasks
One of the most exciting aspects of playing Among Us in real life is transforming the digital tasks from the online game into engaging physical activities. Here are some ideas for creating fun, interactive tasks that will keep your Crewmates busy while adding an extra layer of authenticity to the game.
Card Swipe
Materials: Cardboard, markers, plastic cards (e.g., old gift cards, hotel key cards)
Instructions: Cut a small rectangular hole in a piece of cardboard, just wide enough for a card to fit through. Draw a card reader around the hole to mimic the look of the in-game card swipe task. Players must swipe their cards through the hole at the right speed to complete the task.
Wiring
Materials: Colored pipe cleaners or string, clothespins or binder clips, cardboard
Instructions: Attach pipe cleaners or strings of different colors to one side of the cardboard using clothespins or binder clips. Repeat the process on the other side of the cardboard but mix up the order of the colors. Players must connect the matching colored pipe cleaners or strings by twisting them together or using additional clothespins or binder clips.
Refueling
Materials: Small bucket or container, water, funnel, stopwatch
Instructions: Fill a small bucket or container with water to represent fuel. Set up another empty bucket or container as the refueling station. Players must use the funnel to transfer water from the "fuel" bucket to the refueling station within a set time limit.
Asteroid Shooting
Materials: Ping pong balls, markers, small buckets or containers
Instructions: Draw asteroid shapes on the ping pong balls using markers. Set up small buckets or containers as targets, placing them at various distances and heights. Players must toss the asteroid ping pong balls into the targets to "shoot" them down.
Simon Says
Materials: Colored paper or cardboard, pen or marker
Instructions: Cut out four large circles from colored paper or cardboard (red, blue, green, and yellow). Arrange the circles in a square pattern and label each with a number (1-4). - One player acts as "Simon" and calls out a sequence of numbers. The other players must step on the corresponding circles in the correct order to complete the task.
Scan Boarding Pass
Materials: Printable boarding passes, smartphone or tablet with QR code reader app
Instructions: Create and print out boarding passes with QR codes that link to a simple "Task Complete" message or image. Distribute a unique boarding pass to each player at the start of the game. Set up a smartphone or tablet with a QR code reader app at the designated "Scan Boarding Pass" station. Players must scan their boarding pass QR code to complete the task.
Download Data
Materials: Jigsaw puzzle pieces, timer
Instructions: Choose a small jigsaw puzzle with a manageable number of pieces (e.g., 15-25 pieces). Place the puzzle pieces at the "Download Data" station. Players must complete the puzzle within a set time limit to "download data."
Clean O2 Filter
Materials: Plastic balls (e.g., ball pit balls), small net or scoop, container
Instructions: Fill a container with various colored plastic balls to represent debris in the O2 filter. Choose one color of ball to represent the "clean" filter material. Players must use a small net or scoop to remove all the "clean" balls from the container within a set time limit.
Prime Shields
Materials: Foam or cardboard cutouts of shield shapes, Velcro strips, wall or board
Instructions: - Create shield shapes from foam or cardboard and attach one side of Velcro strips to the back of each shield. Place the corresponding Velcro strips on a wall or board, creating an outline of the shield pattern. Players must match and attach the shield cutouts to the correct Velcro outline to "prime the shields."
Sort Samples
Materials: Small containers or cups, assorted small objects (e.g., beads, buttons, marbles), tweezers
Instructions: Fill several small containers or cups with a mix of small objects to represent "samples." Set up empty containers or cups for each type of object (e.g., one for beads, one for buttons, one for marbles). Players must use tweezers to sort the objects from the mixed containers into their designated containers within a set time limit.
These additional ideas for fun physical versions of Among Us tasks provide even more variety and excitement for your real-life game. Remember to adapt tasks to the needs and preferences of your group while ensuring they remain safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Section 6: Executing Sabotages in Real Life
Sabotages play a crucial role in the online game of Among Us, allowing Impostors to create confusion, distract Crewmates, and gain an advantage. To incorporate sabotages into your real-life game, follow these guidelines for a thrilling and suspenseful experience.
Define Sabotage Types
Select a few sabotage types from the online game, such as disabling lights, cutting communications, or starting a countdown timer for critical systems (e.g., O2 or reactor).
Ensure that the chosen sabotages are manageable and safe for your real-life play area.
Create Sabotage Stations
Set up dedicated stations for each sabotage type in the play area.
These stations should have clear instructions and materials needed to perform the sabotage (e.g., switches, timers, or tokens).
Establish Sabotage Rules
Impostors can perform sabotages by visiting the designated sabotage stations and following the provided instructions.
Impose a cooldown period between sabotages to prevent Impostors from continuously disrupting the game.
Crewmate Response to Sabotages
When a sabotage occurs, Crewmates must work together to resolve it within a set time limit or face losing the game.
Assign tasks to Crewmates to fix sabotages, such as flipping switches back on, reconnecting wires, or entering a code.
Consider using a timer or other visual cues to communicate the urgency of resolving the sabotage.
Sabotage Examples
Disabling Lights: Impostors can turn off lights by flipping a switch or removing a designated token at the sabotage station. Crewmates must work together to find and flip the switch back on or return the token to the station to restore visibility.
Cutting Communications: Impostors can cut communications by scattering "communication tokens" around a specific area. Crewmates must find and return all tokens to the communications station to restore their ability to discuss and share information.
O2 Depletion or Reactor Meltdown: Impostors can start a countdown timer on a smartphone or other timing device at the sabotage station. Crewmates must enter a specific code or complete a puzzle at separate stations within the time limit to prevent the countdown from reaching zero and losing the game.
Final Thoughts
Playing Among Us in real life is a fantastic way to enjoy the thrill and excitement of the popular online game in a new and interactive way. By following this guide you'll be able to set up the perfect game night for your friends and family. Just remember, in the world of Among Us, deception lurks around every corner, and you never know who you can trust. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
