It has recently come to light that InnerSloth, the developer behind the social deduction game Among Us, got its name through an online random word generator. Only a few years ago, the name InnerSloth was not known by many. However, fast forward to 2021, and it has become one of the most talked about developers across the video game industry.
InnerSloth’s sudden rise to fame was thanks to Among Us, a game that mostly flew under the radar before coming into its own during the various lockdowns that were enforced throughout the coronavirus pandemic. When physical socializing was put on hold, people began to look for new and innovative ways to stay connected. InnerSloth’s simple top-down game ticked that box beautifully and added in the delicious tinge of sabotage and deceit as well. This, combined with the easy gameplay, bright colors, and affordable price tag, made Among Us one of the most popular titles for gamers and streamers in 2020.
However, while InnerSloth is now a name with a huge amount of gravitas and respect behind it, it did not actually receive all that much thought when it came to the original conception. Rather, the developers left the company’s naming decision to the random nature of the internet. When speaking with Justin Woodward as part of E3 2021’s online showcase, InnerSloth developer Marcus Bromander revealed that when the team was initially getting set up, they could not think of a name, admitting that they were “stuck.” As such, they ultimately decided to use a name generator to help them make the final choice. Bromander said that they “clicked through and clicked through” until the name InnerSloth was generated, and they knew that that was the one. Bromander said that they felt the name was appropriate as they “have the motivation to make stuff, but the inside of (them) is kind of lazy.” And thus, the name of the Among Us gaming studio was born.
It is fair to say that the InnerSloth team would have had no idea how much Among Us would catapult them into the limelight when the game first launched in 2018. Its initial release was tepid at best, with little mainstream attention. However, its popularity has since become so considerable that the team halted work on a sequel in 2020, in order to instead focus on updates for the original title. These have included new maps, larger lobbies, and additional player colors.
The InnerSloth team itself has also undergone some changes, growing from the original workforce of three to eight employees over the last twelve months. While still a small group compared to other gaming studios, this expansion to the team is a testament to just how cherished Among Us has become over the last year. InnerSloth’s name may have been random, but it is now a true example of how hard work and perseverance can really pay off, even if one is a sloth on the inside.
Among Us is currently available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
Source: E32021/YouTube