If you look around the school’s common areas, from the senior lounge to the junior hallway, you will likely see large groups of students circling up and laughing. People usually associate this time with phone games, but recently, it has been attributed to the Imposter game. A simple game that became popularized through TikTok quickly caught the attention of Hackley students, who have now been playing during free periods or lunch periods as a way to socialize and de-stress.
The aim of the game is to “suss out” the imposter by deciphering which player does not know the chosen word. Using a computer, each player generates a secret word, but one player’s screen says “imposter”. Each player then takes a turn sharing one word that acts as a hint, and the imposter’s goal is to blend in by sharing hints that can apply to the actual secret word. The goal is for everyone to guess who does not know the word, and if so, the group as a whole wins. On the other hand, if the imposter correctly guesses the word based on the provided hints before the rest of the group can determine they are the imposter, then they win the game.
A game that began as a TikTok trend and internet sensation has quickly turned into a daily ritual played throughout all grade levels on the hilltop.
Imposter has helped to foster connections between members of each grade, allowing large groups of students who may not typically hang out to join forces and enjoy quality time throughout the school day.
“Imposter has brought all the different corners of our grade together just to have a fun laugh. It’s also given me a perspective on how different people think and perceive things, which has led to more conversations about things like people’s interests,” said senior Jordan LaRoche.
One place in particular that you will always see Imposter being played is in the senior lounge. The large open space and welcoming environment allow many members of the class to participate and create new memories with each game played.
“It’s been fun to watch different friend groups within our grade gather in the middle of the lounge to play the game and socialize with new people,” said senior Justin D’Alessio.
One reason that Imposter has become so popular throughout school is because of this year’s phone ban. With less time being spent on screens and more time creating in-person connections, students have turned to fun conversational games that don’t involve much technology.
“I love playing Imposter since the phone ban because it kind of allows me to unplug with people that I wouldn’t normally have something to talk about with. I think learning each other’s inside jokes and references through the game is really unifying, especially when we aren’t using screens,” senior Zion Bennett said.
Imposter has also been a refreshing way for students to alleviate the daily stress that comes with attending Hackley. Between the rigorous course load and additional stressors that come with being a high school student, having some time each day to relax and laugh with your peers can really make a difference.
“I noticed the difference playing Imposter made in our environment, especially at the beginning of the year, when most people were stressed about school and getting college decisions back. The game has been a nice way to break up long and difficult days,” said senior Elle Karger.
From daily laughs to an escape from screens, Imposter has proven itself valuable to the Hackley community as a fresh way to socialize and de-stress.