Among Us Devs Speak Out About Fortnite's Suspiciously Familiar 'Impostors' Mode

Awful scummy of Epic, to be honest, awful scummy. Would it have killed them to at least give them some kind of credit, even a wink and a nod? I mentioned this in the last article and they've said it themselves but would it have killed them to do something different? Anything?

As if Among Us was that original to begin with.

Who cares, the devs are millionaires, go wipe your tears with the dumb money you have.

Yeah, even by rip-off standards, this is pretty blatant.

Like, Epic couldn't even come up with an entirely new map layout? At least when they "copied" PUBG to create Fortnite Battle Royale, the actual BR map was entirely different from PUBG's Erangel.

That's a shame. Don't like either game but epic definitely took the "why collab when I can steal?" approach

It’s very scummy. Credit, collab, just a shoutout if they’re going to make it really this similar.

Not like this mode will be around forever, it'll probably be gone after their current season

I agree with the Among Us devs 100% here. That is all.

As much as I can’t find any love for fortnite, and I love a good game of among us.

I’d just like to point out that I used to play a game called “trouble in terrorist town” (TTT) in garry’s mod that was a much more fleshed out version of among us- and this was a good 6-7 years ago. Among us is not original.

After watching some gameplay myself I have that concur that this is indeed a blatant rip off. Like others I thought "Among Us didn't create the whole 'Salem' or 'Werewolf' thing, so it's fine." But Fortnite didn't just copy that. They copied the "assignments" mechanics, the terminology, the overall aesthetic...

One can make their own version of Salem without ripping off THIS much. It's not like this is Pokemon vs Digimon where the games and mechanics are actually different. Fortnite basically did just copy another devs work and think they can get away with it because "lol you're indie and we're not".

@Iamcardboard TTT did not have mini game assignments that one needs to accomplish to win the round. TTT did not have a discussion system where everyone is called back into the centre. Yes, many mechanics were similar but Among Us differentiated itself with unique mechanics not seen in other 'werewolf' games of this style.

Fortnite literally copied all those mechanics, oftentimes even using the same names.

@gojiguy Yeah they are probably millionaires, but its still scummy to blatantly copy an idea when they been trying to contact them for a collab for a while

@gojiguy Well I haven't seen a game that condenses the Werewolf/Mafia style game into 15 minute long matches. Usually those kind of games go on for an hour or longer.

@gojiguy
"It's okay to blatantly copy someone's ideas as long as that person is rich" isn't as good of an argument as you think it is.

"Suspicously"
SUS
RED SUS! AMOG US! Fortnite is sus!

This will maybe cause devs to think twice about NOT patenting their game mechanics…
Capitalism, baby

Fortnite? Creativity? You're asking too much.

I won't lie, that did look like a rip off when I saw the trailer. Figured it was a collab, at first.

@westman98 Specially since the guys doing the copying are probably even richer...

Everything about Fortnite is stolen. Even the whole "Battle royale" thing is stolen from PUBG. Most characters are stolen as well, just as the dances.

The weirdest part is that epic probably would've been more successful with an amongus collab instead of just a ripoff

I wouldn’t expect much better from epic

Its a limited timed event, its not like this is going to be the next pillar into Fortnite. Its going to show up and disappear in 2 weeks.

Maybe the worst part is that Epic avoided going to Inner Sloth for an Among Us crossover, which seems like it would have been cooler on all sides and rather fitting too. But this isn’t any business ruining decision, or even one that has any stick to it, much like Fortnite’s other events.

STOP…. PLAYING…. FORTNITE

Epic has been in multiple controversies about this game. PUBG, APPLE, and now Among Us?

How isn’t Epic considered worse than EA at this point is beyond me.

Epic, EA and Tencent should all be boycotted.

@Iamcardboard yeah tbh. It’s not like they own “mafia” style games

@fafonio
probably because every one uses their engine and they offer better deals to companies to make money.
which is why they are fighting Apple

@gojiguy Among Us is original. What videogames were like it before?

"the team didn't patent Among Us' mechanics"
Well since they didn’t invent the base idea, pretty easy to see why they wouldn't try and patent it. Also it's doubtful that they could patent a game relatively simple mechanic. So I don’t really think it's particularly commendable.

@fafonio why would any of that make me stop playing? PUBG sued them and lost. Apple is notorious for it's walled garden and how it screws devs. And why would them aping Among Us (which takes most of it's mechanics from older tabletop games) effect my want to play it regardless?
I mean Epic isn't some bastion of greatness or anything. But they are hardly some pariah.

@gojiguy man you must love when Walmart comes to town and kills mom and pop stores too. I mean why didn't they just live the rest of their lives and businesses off of what little success they had? Right?

The mode is limited time so they don't have much to worry about

I agree it’s scummy but I hate to admit I am enjoying imposters far more than among us. I think a lot of people (like myself yesterday morning) assumed it WAS a collab. I was expecting an Among Us crew mate back bling or something in the shop to promote it.

I hope Epic decides to do a collab and really work to make it up to Inner Sloth cause I really do like their version.

I don't think it's scummy.

Super Mario Bros has a mechanic where you jump on the heads of enemies to defeat them. Tons of games use that mechanic, too.

Look at all the games that use level up systems from tabletop RPGs, nobody thinks that's scummy.

But when Epic uses a mechanic, people think it's scummy. Come on, draw the line somewhere, at least.

Its what I was saying, You need to put your own spin on it, Among us didn't make the concept, but they Added there own spin to it, And fortnite didn't even do that.

@BloodNinja But do they just have said level up system? do they have the same skills? I Will not agree when Among us says they made the whole thing up, they didn't, but things like USM did the same thing among us did, so, why isn't it a rip off? bc its different enough to count as its own thing, At least in my opinion.

I haven't played either, and I can't say I'm supportive of copyright anyway, but there should at least be some respect, especially if they indeed reached out. But I also agree that they've probably made their piles of money on the concept, and it being copied is a compliment as well. There's a good concept, it works, now let the video game medium evolve around it.

I loved playing Kane & Lynch 2 online back in the day, or any (hide-in-plain-sight-) stealth game like Hitman series or even all the way back to Hidden and Dangerous 2's best moments in my memory. Or the The Thing game, where your crew's trust had to be earned, just as much as they couldn't be trusted themselves.

@Snatcher I totally get where you are coming from, because it's so hard to figure out where the line is to draw with this stuff. It can easily land on either side of the argument, to be honest.

Not speaking for you, but from the other comments I see here, it's just because people hate Epic. I think people at least need a better reason to dislike the decision, as you just stated.

@BloodNinja I was never an epic hater, nor do I hate fortnite, I stopped bc I had no self control, and I didn't like that left out feeling, so I quit, But when I see stuff like this, It does make me mad, They didn't do anything, Not one thing is different, I mean hell they even ripped off there map, I think that enough to count.

@Snatcher I'm just happy you are formulating your own thoughts, rather than just the "I hate Epic so this is bad," crowd. It's refreshing to talk with a real person, sometimes LOL Hope you're having a great day.

@Wesbert
Exactly.

And to expand further, if Amazon - a company that dwarfs Epic Games in value and size - came along and made a Fortnite clone, that would not be acceptable either.

Epic are villains?!?!?

Not a massive plot twist at this point.

Shame all the sheeple are now addicted to Fortnite and they won’t care the damage their addiction does to the gaming industry.

Long live gaming.

@BloodNinja Hope for the best to you too.

@BloodNinja I didn’t hate epic or fortnite… different strokes for different folks and all that. Just Many of their decisions and behaviour is grubby. They made a game that for many is like a drug. I guess that’s not their fault. I just think it’s not been the greatest phenomenon to hit the gaming industry to help the gaming industry. It helps epic and that’s about it. If anything it’s made other companies make terrible decisions.

I am talking selfishly for the types of games I like. Much like it’s fortnite fans prerogative to play it… I wish solo player epic campaign games were lavished as much love.

I get where you are coming from. Like EA hate it does get old when people aren’t even trying to look at what is happening in the rest of the industry and would hate EA whatever.

You have made me think about my original reply in here. It’s good to be challenged

@Pikki Yeah, I stopped after chapter 1 season 7 (I think 7?), when I was looking forward to finished by the pass more than playing the game. One of my best gaming decisions.

Let’s face it, ever since TenCent bought stakes in Epic they just haven’t been the same since.

As far as Epic copying Among Us, yea that’s a scummy thing to do, but I’ll argue that Among Us isn’t that original either. It’s fundamental game mechanics are taken from table top classics like Mafia, and Werewolf. I’ll also argue that The Resistance/Avalon, and Secret Hitler are the best examples of these kinds of games. Far better than Among Us in my opinion.

@Stocksy They aren’t the first to make games that are as addictive as drugs. Look at Sony’s Everquest. (I think that was Sony! Been a while.) but I agree with you, and appreciate the fact you are coming to your own conclusions, as opposed to be fed information

Unreal Tournament died because of Fortnite, which will always make me sad.

But Epic knows they can do what they want without repercussions.

Don't forget guys, Epic are the little guys in the fight against the big, bad Apple! We have to support the underdogs in the righteous war between good and evil, guys! They're totally not like other giant corporations at all, guys! /s

Face it, Epic is so successful right now because of their bastardizations of other IP. From skins to mechanics to game modes.

They have so much money that they don't care who they step on or rip off.

Epic are scumbags.

In other news, water is wet.

@gojiguy Theyre indie devs. Its unlikely they are millionaires, esp when among us is easy to play for free. And y'know most game devs aren't anyway.

Shows how informed I am, I thought it was an actual collab going on. I dunno how I feel about it. I haven't played either game so I'm in no position to be saying who copied what or whatever. But, like, the whole idea of Among Us is something I did at a dinner party once. An Evening of Murder I think it's called. Was pretty neat. But definitely something I would think is more fun in person with other people who can read your face while trying to craft believable lies on the spot.

@BloodNinja In my opinion, it's the power dynamic of Epic that disgusts me. Epic is basically saying to InnerSloth "If we have the pockets to go up against Apple's lawyers, what makes you think you could sue us?" This isn't just someone copying another kid's homework, this is a bully that steals the homework and has their parents be the teacher and the principal. The cherry on top was that InnerSloth was actively trying to collab with Epic. I doubt they are willing to do so ever again. Among Us ain't going to be on the Epic Store anytime soon.

@NatiaAdamo I mean, I don't see what was done that warrants a lawsuit. Game mechanics get lifted and used all over the place. As I said earlier, look at how many games lift level up mechanics from tabletop RPGs, or look at how many games feature stealth elements after Metal Gear popularized it.

I don't see the problem legally. You can't patent game machanics and Epic isn't using any assets from Among Us AFAIK. So it's all fair game.

Legally, Epic didn't do anything wrong here.

Morally? Yeah, this isn't a good look. Especially since Fortnite is so well known for collaborations nowadays (even with independent artists; the character Gildedguy recently got a few cosmetics added to the game and two animations from the creator of the same name were highlighted in an event).

Kinda a crappy move given that they could've just done this exact same thing but with an Among Us cross-promo (which arguably would have brought them in more money).

I'm not really sure why Puff is saying they didn't patent the game mechanics.

You can't patent or copyright game mechanics. Period. Never have been able to. You can trademark (not patent) names, they likely could have patented that map the same way you can patent the board from a board game, but that's it.

I mean Pathfinder is just D&D 3.5 edition with some names changed. It's not illegal, and sadly, it's not uncommon.

I tried a game or two, and I have to say that its fun, the task are great, animations great, But they just didn't put there own spin on it, So it still feels way to close to games like it, The task are not ripped off in my opinion, the map is for sure LMAO.

Just find it kind of messed up that they wanted to do a crossover and Epic was all like "Nah forget it, we will just make are own" sort of thing.

No wonder they didn't accept a collab, they'd been planning to rob them blind for months anyway.

Epic is absolutely ***** disgusting.

I had my fun with fortnite a while back but that was it. Now from what people are saying that it is so close to "Among Us" that it is a rip off with nothing added to make it its own.

Now I know that Among Us wasn't the first to come up with the idea (you can't copyright game mechanics if I am not mistaken) as I played TTT way back in the day but even Among Us had objectives to complete while TTT didn't which makes Among Us different in that stage. If fortnite just did a 1 to 1 in this situation then ya it is kinda scummy on epics part.

Even when Epic added the battle royal to their game and people started saying that they copied PUBG. At the basic mechanics ya they did but fortnite did have the building aspect which made it its own thing. There I can atleast say that epic didn't copy PUBG 1 to 1 (even though PUBG got their idea from H1Z1).

One crappy game copied another crappy game. Get the ***** over it.

Maybe I've been playing games too long but those maps just look like...generic maps. The game mode is clearly a rip off, but it wasn't any less exciting than when I played among us. As stated above, they've made a butt ton of money from such a simple game (that chick acting like the world is crushing her) that a week long event isn't gonna matter in the long run.

So dumb. This is why patents exist. If it isn’t patentable or you don’t want to patent it, don’t complain.

I feel like Among Us is just digital Clue in space.

Now you know why Japanese companies like Capcom and Square always patent stuff. It's to stop this exact thing from happening