Jade Scott: Video Games as a Survival Tool on The Traitors

Jan 30, 2026, 2:41 AM
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Jade Scott emerged as a standout player in the latest series of The Traitors, a reality competition characterized by its intense psychological dynamics and social manipulation. Unlike many contestants who succumbed to paranoia, Scott maintained a calm demeanor and strategic mindset, skills she attributes to her extensive experience as a gamer.
Scott's journey into gaming began at age 15 with Minecraft, where she forged friendships through collaborative play. As she transitioned to more competitive titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota, her understanding of strategy deepened. "That's where my interest in strategy gaming really kicked in," she noted, emphasizing how these experiences equipped her to think several steps ahead under pressure.
Prior to her appearance on The Traitors, Scott had immersed herself in social deduction games, including indie titles like Project Winter and Dale & Dawson Stationery Supplies. These games, which require players to identify saboteurs while completing tasks, mirrored the dynamics of The Traitors, enabling her to refine her skills in deception and social manipulation. "I was effectively in training to be a faithful," she remarked, underscoring her desire to take on the role of a loyal contestant rather than a traitor.
Scott formulated a unique strategy: she aimed to cultivate a manageable level of suspicion early in the game. "I thought if people already doubted me, the traitors wouldn't bother killing me," she explained. However, she did not foresee the overwhelming level of scrutiny she would face, which left her feeling exhausted and vulnerable in a way that online gaming did not prepare her for. "In the castle, you're completely exposed. There's nowhere to hide, and every conversation feels loaded," she elaborated.
Her analytical approach included meticulously tracking social interactions among contestants. Scott created charts, akin to detective cork boards, to visualize relationships and suspicions. "I wrote everyone's name down and drew lines between people I saw talking," she recounted, demonstrating her commitment to understanding the social landscape of the competition. Despite her efforts, she acknowledged that she overlooked key connections, such as those between Rachel and Stephen, while focused on her survival.
Reflecting on her experiences, Scott noted that the skills she honed in video games significantly bolstered her ability to defend herself during the show's contentious roundtable discussions. "The second you approach the table with some logic and reasoning, and say, 'I understand why you think that, but I have done nothing to suggest it,' they have nothing to argue with," she stated. This newfound confidence has also translated into her academic pursuits, as Scott is currently studying for a PhD. She finds that her time on The Traitors has prepared her for the challenges of defending her thesis in front of examiners. "If I can survive the roundtable, I can survive that," she concluded.
In the aftermath of her reality TV experience, Scott has shifted her gaming preferences away from social deduction games, instead opting for titles that present puzzling environments devoid of human deception. This change reflects her desire to step back from the intense scrutiny she faced on The Traitors, allowing her to enjoy gaming in a more relaxed capacity.
Ultimately, Jade Scott's journey on The Traitors illustrates how the lessons learned in video games can have practical applications in real-life scenarios. Her ability to navigate a high-stakes environment filled with suspicion and intrigue reveals the multifaceted skills that gaming can cultivate, providing valuable insights into human behavior and strategic thinking in competitive contexts.

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