The Rise of Among Us: From Game to Animated Series by CBS STUDIO

‘Among Us’ became a global phenomenon. How did it achieve that, and how can it be replicated? Enter CBS STUDIO, with its corresponding dispatch of skilled people – the developers of the hit game who coined the term ‘depth of nonsense’ (a rule that dictates the devs must have as much fun playing Among Us as the gamers do) and the YouTube sensation who pioneered the term ‘ungameable character’ (a design rule that represents a character for whom you’d never need to search a walkthrough): this is a winning combination. It was only a matter of time before Hollywood rode in on the coattails of this example. Among Us just happens to be a nearly flawless representative of its genre: incredibly simple, something anyone from preschool to grandma can play, with a controlled set of rules that unfolds with playful transgression. The best aspect is that, to reach the state of enjoyment, no prior expertise is required. There are companies that specialise in designing for specific demographics, such as female gamers. Other companies cater to theme park-goers, who seek a relaxing experience where they aren’t required to think or carry heavy props. In this regard, ‘casual games’ are simply the games that comport themselves. Picture the culmination of our hunger – both our appetite for gaming, as well as our craving for processed food.

The worlds of digital animation and interactive gaming are once again beautifully blurring – this time, courtesy of CBS STUDIO, which is spearheading an animated spin-off of Among Us, a scintillating multiplayer game that’s rumoured to make its way from your gaming screens to silver ones, as an animated series. A tour-de-force creative venture that will be as captivating as the game itself, this story tracks the creative journey of the series, courtesy of CBS STUDIO, Innersloth (the makers of the game) and Titmouse, the animation firm known for Big Mouth and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

THE GENESIS OF AN ANIMATED PHENOMENON by CBS STUDIO

If you happened to catch the Among Us animated series reveal at the Summer Game Fest in June – a multi-day digital mash-up of wonders and video game delights – you probably saw the title sequence. With that single glimpse, fans were introduced to the show’s colourful cast of characters and the intricately designed roles each plays aboard the Skeld, the spaceship that’s our primary setting. The reveal showed that the creative team at CBS STUDIO and its partners are genuinely committed to making the show.

THE VISIONARIES BEHIND THE SCENES by CBS STUDIO

When whispers about the ‘Among Us’ series first emerged last year, my interest was piqued – and I’m sure many other people’s were too. The partnership between CBS STUDIO, Innersloth and Titmouse was not just a collaboration: it was a melding of the minds. Innersloth brought its immersive game-design, while CBS brought the storytelling and production muscle, and Titmouse was the animation muscle.

THE STELLAR CAST OF VOICES by CBS STUDIO

The series features a stellar cast of voice actors – another indication of the emphasis that CBS STUDIOS is placing on quality and immersive storytelling. The captain Red is played by Randall Park (who played the undercover FBI agent James in the film Always Be My Maybe), with an appropriate authority and nuance. The security chief Purple is played by Ashley Johnson (who is also a member of the PlayStation Twitter team that created the account), and she will provide depth and nuance, as will the unpaid intern Green (voiced by Ashley’s brother, Who Framed Roger Rabbit actor Elijah Wood). The character of White, a contest winner, will be voiced by none other than Patton Oswalt. Another character will be voiced by Phil… [they leave the name blank for now] … This who’s-who of voice actors and their authentic-sounding characters promise to bring this animated team to life in all their human depth and humour.

A SYMPHONY OF CREATIVITY AND EXECUTION by CBS STUDIO

It’s a remarkable story of how the imagination of the Among Us series has been translated not just to the small screen, but how the creative potential of the game is being built upon, and its storyworld expanded, by CBS STUDIO and its collaborators. Aspects of characterisation, animation, story and plot are all forged anew in the unique medium of television animation. Meanwhile, the essence of the Among Us game remains intact, so that fans of the game are able to anchor the story in their own memories of play. In this way, a new TV series is born out of a game, building upon its success to take the storyworld to a new level.

WHY THIS SERIES MATTERS by CBS STUDIO

At a time when distinctions between digital entertainment types are becoming more fluid, the Among Us series represents a creative model – a pathway forward for beloved IPs to create new worlds and expand their universe. With new voices and creative spaces, it could lead Once Upon a Time to new episodes and Cyber Space to higher ratings. CBS STUDIO’s contributions to this evolution highlights how collaboration, vision and tenacity are as critical to navigating a fiercely competitive, fast-changing, ever-adaptable space.

THE STUDIO THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN: A CLOSER LOOK AT CBS STUDIO

As much as CBS STUDIO is a production house, it’s a place where creative fuel is produced. The production powerhouse has a long history of delivering the golden archetypes of television entertainment, having brought to life films and television series in different genres. But the studio’s success in delivering top-quality content year after year is not an accident. CBS STUDIO is not afraid of chasing evolving trends and tapping into new formats to present storylines. The greenlighting of the Among Us animated series by Innersloth and Titmouse clearly tells us the television studio is indeed innovating and keeping with the times.

CONCLUSION: EMBARKING ON A NEW FRONTIER by CBS STUDIO

With the Among Us animated series on the horizon, this venture is more than just an adaptation story of a successful game. It marks the crossing of new frontiers in digital storytelling, inspired by strong partnerships between CBS STUDIO, Innersloth, and Titmouse. This series will bring a thrilling journey to explore the universe of Among Us, as well as a new milestone in the evolution of gaming and animation. CBS STUDIO is one of the leading studios that explores new experiences and boundaries to embrace exciting storytelling through the combination of different worlds.

The hype for ‘Among Us’ is a reminder that the experience created through the collaboration of art and storytelling will blindsight us all over and over again. As studios like CBS focus on this crossover of gaming and animation, the journey ahead would be an exciting one. And we, as an audience, couldn’t have it any other way.