Among Us is a popular online multiplayer game that took the world by storm in 2020. In the game, players take on one of two roles – Crewmate or Impostor. Crewmates must complete tasks around the map while trying to determine who among them is an impostor bent on killing everyone. Impostors must sabotage and kill Crewmates without getting caught. Among Us features a cast of colorful bean-shaped characters, with each player choosing a color to represent them. One of the color choices is cyan, which is a bluish green hue. So what exactly is the cyan color in Among Us and what does it represent?
The Meaning of Cyan
Cyan is a secondary color made by mixing the primary colors green and blue. The word cyan comes from the Greek word kyanos, meaning “dark blue.” On the color wheel, cyan sits between green and blue. In the RGB color model, cyan is created by mixing 0% red, 100% green, and 100% blue. This results in a bright bluish-green color. Cyan is considered a “cool” color associated with water, tranquility, calmness, and refreshment. It has connotations of spirituality and meaning. In color psychology, cyan promotes feelings of relaxation and order.
Cyan in Among Us
In Among Us, each player selects a bean-shaped astronaut to represent them. There are 15 colors to choose from, and cyan is one of the options. Choosing cyan dresses your astronaut in a bluish-green spacesuit. The vibrant cyan color helps you identify your character easily among all the other players. It also allows others to see your movements clearly as you complete tasks and investigate suspicions. Some players may choose cyan because they like the calming effect the color presents. The cyan character lacks any other attributes that provide game advantages. Its function is purely cosmetic for self-representation.
Cyan in Real Life
Beyond Among Us, the color cyan has many other representations in the real world. In printing and design, cyan is one of the four CMYK process colors used to create a range of hues. Cyan pigment is used in painting to create shades of green and blue. In science, astronomy and photography, cyan filters allow X-rays, infrared or ultraviolet light to pass through while absorbing other wavelengths. Cyan is associated with prisms and rainbows because it has a longer wavelength than other visible colors. In nature, cyan is found in aquatic environments, like tropical seas, and is reflected in minerals like aquamarine. Many living organisms also display cyan, such as the Cyanobacteria that were key in the evolution of photosynthesis.
Cyan Among Us Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about the cyan color in Among Us:
- Cyan was one of the original colors in Among Us when it launched in 2018, along with red, blue, green, pink, orange, black, white, purple, brown and yellow.
- Cyan is one of the more popular color choices in Among Us after the major colors like red, blue, and green.
- Some players believe cyan crewmates are more suspicious or likely to be impostors.
- Cyan crewmates are sometimes targeted first by impostors along with other bright colors.
- Cyan pops well against the default black background and provides good visibility.
- A cyan crewmate with a party hat was featured in promotional art for the third anniversary of Among Us in 2021.
- There are electrical wiring tasks in Among Us that specifically require matching cyan cables.
- A melted cyan crewmate is featured on the official sticker pack from Innersloth.
Crewmate vs Impostor in Cyan
When a player chooses cyan, they could be assigned the role of a Crewmate or an Impostor. Here’s what cyan represents in both cases:
Cyan as a Crewmate
As a Crewmate, the cyan player must move about the map completing various tasks to help the crew. Their goals are to fix vital systems, identify any suspicious behavior, call emergency meetings, and ultimately determine who the impostors are through discussion and voting. Cyan crewmates can leverage the calm trustworthiness associated with the color cyan to convince others of their innocence.
Cyan as an Impostor
As an impostor, the cyan player must sabotage the mission and discreetly kill off crewmates when the timing is right. Their goals are to create chaos, sow distrust, and avoid being ejected after being suspected or caught. Cyan impostors can use the sense of tranquility around the color to avoid drawing suspicion while secretly plotting murders and sabotage.
So in summary, cyan has different objectives and strategies depending on the role assigned, but the cosmetic color itself provides no gameplay advantages either way.
Conclusion
The color cyan in Among Us is a vibrant bluish-green that players can select for their bean-shaped astronaut character. It represents a sense of calmness and spirituality compared to other color choices. Cyan pops visually against the dark backgrounds of the game environment. As a Crewmate, cyan must complete tasks and determine the impostor. As an impostor, cyan must sabotage and kill without being detected. But the cyan color itself does not confer any gameplay benefits. It simply allows players to stand out and represent themselves in Among Us matches with a cool, aquatic hue.
References
Here are some references used in researching this article:
- Innersloth. Among Us. https://www.innersloth.com/games/among-us/
- Welsing, F. (2017). Color-Confrontation. MindGlow Books.
- Cherry, K. (2020). Cyan: The Meaning & Psychology of the Color Cyan. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-cyan-5077216
- Jaschek, C. & Bosse, F. (2021). The Language of Colors: Visualizing the Psychology, Symbolism, and Culture of Color. Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
- Eiseman, L. (2020). Pantone on Color: A Visual History of 2,000 Years of Color Standards. Chronicle Books.
In summary, cyan is a vibrant secondary color that players can select for their character in Among Us. It contrasts well against the dark backgrounds and represents tranquility. As Crewmate or Impostor, cyan players leverage their color’s psychology while attempting to achieve their team goals. Sources indicate the meaning, symbolism, and use of the color cyan both in Among Us and more broadly in culture throughout history.
