Every singleJackbox Party Packseems to introduce a couple of unique party games, andThe Jackbox Party Pack 10is no different. This new game is set to add five new games to the franchise, and each one seems to be taking its individual concept to new levels.
One of these brand-new experiences is theHypnotoriousparty game. This game pits players against each other inanAmong Us-like game modewhere every player has secrets or, at least, should. They must figure out who fits in their group based on a variety of factors, but one player belongs to no team. Even this outlier does not know they are the odd one out, and that should create a very interesting scenario for game night.
RELATED:20 Most Fun Jackbox Minigames, Ranked
Game Rant was recently able to sit down withHypnotorious' director Warren Arnold, among others at Jackbox Games, to discuss everything thatthis deceptive minigamehas to offer. We discussed the intricacies of the game mode, the challenges that players can expect, and most specifically what makes the outlier special. When asked about this mechanic, Arnold said,
That was definitely just something that came up when we were doing the puzzle. If you know you don’t belong up front, people would then just kind of self-report and be like, “nope, I’m going over here. That’s the game, we got it figured out.” The fun thing became watching people start thinking that they don’t belong but trying to convince others that they do. Then, when people are wildly wrong, and they do actually belong in a group where they’ve made everyone think they are the outliers, you get more fluid moments. It’s “oh, we have this figured out,” then “oh, we absolutely do not.”
Hypnotoriousis approaching the concept of outliers very differently thanother deception-based gamesdo. Social Deduction games usually involve the impostor trying to conceal their identities as they complete their objectives, but because Hypnotorious challenges players to find their groups, that wouldn’t work out so well. Not only do players have to figure out where they belong, but they have to figure out if they do at all. And that opens many possible and hilarious doors, as Arnold explained,
Everyone starts scrambling. When we do that where you don’t know, it creates controlled confusion. It’s like IthinkI have my feet beneath me, but nope. We got so many laughs when it was revealed that someone certain that they did not belong was actually with a group this entire time.
This mechanic creates a game where players are scrambling to figure out what is going on. Since the outlier has no idea they are an outlier, it becomes even harder to pinpoint who cannot be trusted. This leads to players accusing others of being the outlier, that player then convinces themselves they are the outlier, and then everything falls apart once the groups are revealed. It makesthe game of deceptionone complete with plenty of laughs.
Among Us-like games are becoming increasingly popular, andJackbox Party Pack 10’sHypnotoriousfeels like one of the few unique ones. Hiding the identity of the outlier from even the outlier makes for a very different type of game, one bound to have debates, arguments, and laughs, putting that iconic Jackbox twist on the genre.
The Jackbox Party Pack 10will release on all major platforms in fall 2023.
