"I didn’t have anything to prove" is a striking statement that encapsulates the essence of Jade Scott's journey on the latest season of The Traitors. This gripping reality show, which concluded with an adrenaline-pumping finale last week, featured a variety of personalities—from innocent extroverts to those who fancied themselves as keen observers, constantly scanning their fellow contestants for signs of treachery. However, one participant shone through with her quiet resolve amidst relentless suspicion and accusations: Jade Scott. It was no surprise when she disclosed early in the competition that she is an avid gamer.
"My introduction to gaming began with Minecraft at the age of 15," Jade reflects. "I forged many friendships during school through that game." Yet, her gaming journey took a darker turn as she delved into more intense genres such as the first-person shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and the multiplayer battle arena game Dota. "That’s where my passion for strategy gaming truly ignited," she adds.
The Traitors stands apart from other reality shows because, in essence, it is very much a game. Its format draws inspiration from classic social deduction games like Werewolf or Mafia, where players employ their wits to unveil a hidden adversary among them. This concept became especially relevant following the first COVID lockdown, when many turned to the online multiplayer game Among Us, where participants must complete tasks while identifying an imposter in their group. Therefore, it’s reasonable to consider that a seasoned video gamer might have an edge in a game like The Traitors.
In the year leading up to her appearance on the show, Scott immersed herself in two indie social deduction games: the survival adventure Project Winter and the satirical office game Dale & Dawson Stationery Supplies. Both titles challenge players to complete various tasks under pressure, while a few individuals work to sabotage their efforts. In a sense, she was honing her skills to become a loyal player in The Traitors.
"I always aimed to be a faithful player," she asserts. "My perspective has evolved since I left the castle, but I initially believed that the game posed greater challenges for the faithful players, and I enjoy tackling games on higher difficulty levels. As a faithful, you are engaged in solving the mystery of who the traitors are; conversely, I thought that traitors miss out on the thrill of puzzle-solving. My strategy was to create a bit of suspicion from the onset, thinking that this would shield me from being eliminated... I simply underestimated the extent of the suspicion directed at me!"
Indeed, Scott found herself frequently at the center of accusations, which presented its own set of challenges. In the realm of gaming, interactions typically take place behind a screen and often through platforms like Discord, allowing players to forge bonds with ease; however, The Traitors strips away that layer of anonymity. "It forced me to rethink my strategies and communication styles," she admits, reflecting on the vastly different environment.
So, did the tactics she had cultivated through games like Project Winter and Dale & Dawson fail her in this high-stakes setting? "I found that I could defend myself quite effectively during the roundtable discussions," she explains. "Much of that capability stemmed from my experience with social deception games. When you approach the discussion with logic and reasoning, stating, 'I understand your perspective, but I have done nothing to warrant that conclusion,' there’s little they can counter with. Also, I felt no need to prove myself to anyone—being defensive only intensifies the scrutiny. I often wondered if initiating a conversation with someone would merely come off as an attempt to win their favor."
One notable strategy that Scott brought from her gaming experiences was meticulous observation of game mechanics. "I developed various formats for tracking my thoughts," she mentions. "Each day, I used a traffic light system to gauge my feelings toward each contestant. Green signified those I believed to be faithful, although certainty was elusive—those players often ended up eliminated! Red indicated those I suspected were traitors. I also maintained a list of names and created connections between them based on who I witnessed conversing, similar to the corkboard setups seen in crime dramas, complete with red lines connecting photos. I’ve mentioned this before, but I spent so much time analyzing that page that I overlooked the obvious: Rachel and Stephen were the only contestants I hadn’t drawn connections between. In my quest to defend myself, I missed significant details!"
Since departing from The Traitors castle, Scott has not returned to social deduction games—perhaps she's ready to step back from the weight of others' suspicions. Instead, she has shifted her focus to titles like Outer Wilds and Blue Prince, which immerse players in enigmatic worlds rather than pitting them against each other. Her time on The Traitors has also had an intriguing impact on her academic pursuits. Now working toward a PhD, she recognizes how beneficial her experiences at the roundtable have been, particularly in one critical area. "I’ve always felt apprehensive about the viva, and I believe many PhD students share that sentiment," she confides. "During the viva, you sit before examiners and must defend your thesis. My time on The Traitors has taught me how to argue my point and stand my ground!"
