An exploration of Roblox’s most infamous myth and its real history.
Roblox’s 1x1x1x1 is both a username and a legend. Originally, it was a throwaway account created by former Roblox administrator John Shedletsky for a backstory; over time the character evolved into one of the platform’s most infamous urban legends[5]. Players once feared that he was a real hacker, but today he stands as a cultural icon—evidence of Roblox’s ability to blur fiction and reality.
This page reconstructs the history behind 1x1x1x1 by pulling from official records, archives and community reports. Click the sections below to follow his evolution from an innocuous lore character to a symbol of chaos.
The name “1x1x1x1” first surfaced in The Chronicles of Roblox, a series of stories on the official Roblox blog. Entries posted on 8 December 2006 and 19 October 2007 introduced an antagonist called the “evil 1x1x1x1,” a being from the fourth dimension who hates Roblox’s 3D world[1]. The lore describes a powerful entity imprisoned by Two‑By‑Two, the Alpha Brick, and hints at those who might free him.
Soon afterward, Roblox released the Necrobloxicon hat, whose description paraphrased that story: “a being of pure hatred with the name of One‑by‑One‑by‑One‑by‑One … imprisoned by Two‑By‑Two at the dawn of time”[1]. Within a day, Shedletsky (also known as Telamon) created a new account named 1x1x1x1 to preserve the username[1].
These early blog posts set the stage for one of Roblox’s first myths. By blending fictional lore with real user accounts, Roblox blurred the line between narrative and gameplay, encouraging speculation that would later fuel rumors of hacking and exploits.
On 25 October 2007, administrator John Shedletsky created the account 1x1x1x1 to tie in with the Necrobloxicon lore[2]. The account sat dormant for years, but its mere existence—coupled with the blog’s sinister description—sparked player curiosity. At this stage, 1x1x1x1 had no exploits attached to his name; he was a fictional villain in a piece of backstory.
The original avatar featured green legs, lighter green arms, a white torso emblazoned with the Roblox “R” and a black head[2]. This simple look would later inspire official designs and toys.
On 25 May 2010, the dormant account was compromised by unknown parties who used a name‑reset exploit to rename it request59245234857238947[3]. Roblox subsequently terminated the account. A month later, in July 2010, it was reinstated and the username was restored[3].
Meanwhile, another user, makkapakka3, capitalized on the confusion by creating a second account named 1x1x1x1 on 25 May 2010 as a name snipe[3]. This clone joined the group EL1T3; soon after, its password leaked on Twitter, leading to its termination[3].
The dual existence of two 1x1x1x1 accounts—one official and one fan‑made—confused many players. When the second account’s password leaked, players logged in and caused mischief across various games, inadvertently fueling rumors that 1x1x1x1 was a hacker.
Following the 2010 incidents, rumors blossomed. Many players believed 1x1x1x1 was an exploiter or the leader of a hacking group. Former administrator MrDoomBringer clarified in a forum post that 1x1x1x1 was never a hacker; the name originated from a backstory written by Shedletsky and a single player exploited the lore to spook others[4]. He described how a player used an exploit to rain “1x1x1x1 is coming for you!” messages in Crossroads, leading to mass hysteria[4].
Despite official debunking, the myth persisted. The community compared 1x1x1x1 to other gaming legends like Herobrine—entities thought to lurk just beyond sight[5].
As stories spread, creative Robloxians built experiences that referenced 1x1x1x1 or told their own versions of his tale. YouTube videos, forum threads and creepypasta multiplied, cementing his reputation as a “digital boogeyman.”
Roblox incorporated the myth into official events. During the 2010 Eggstravaganza summer event, the Dark Crimson Egg of Nemesis referenced 1x1x1x1’s spirit[6]. In Egg Hunt 2019: Scrambled in Time, the Dark Crimson Egg and the Golden Fabergé Egg voiced their anger about being forgotten[6].
The Ready Player Two event hid a 1x1x1x1 decal in its hub and offered prizes such as 1x1x1x1’s Teapot, Shirt and Pants[6]. During the 8th Annual Bloxy Awards, an announcement humorously asked passengers to report suspicious characters named 1x1x1x1[6].
The Classic event in 2023 heavily featured 1x1x1x1, scattering his name around the hub and using him as a quest character[6].
These appearances transformed a once‑frightening rumor into a playful Easter egg. They also demonstrate how Roblox embraces community myths, turning them into interactive experiences.
Today, 1x1x1x1 exists simultaneously as a user account, a fictional villain and an official mascot. His story illustrates how community lore can mutate over time: a simple throwaway account became the subject of fearful speculation, then an official event character. In official lore he is portrayed as a malevolent entity from the fourth dimension who seeks to destroy Roblox[5]. This dramatic backstory contrasts sharply with the reality that 1x1x1x1 began as an innocent story and was never a hacker[5].
The myth continues to evolve as players reinterpret him in games, animations and fan art. He serves as a cautionary tale about misinformation and the power of storytelling in online communities.
From our modern perspective, 1x1x1x1 is a collaborative creation of Roblox’s developers and players. The tension between official debunking and persistent rumors adds to his mystique, ensuring he will remain part of Roblox folklore for years to come.
[1] The origins of 1x1x1x1 in The Chronicles of Roblox and the Necrobloxicon description【49003405352413†L135-L150】.
[2] Account creation by John Shedletsky on 25 October 2007【185914761516366†L570-L575】 and early avatar details【845804337314892†L575-L579】.
[3] Compromise of the original account on 25 May 2010 and reinstatement in July 2010; creation of the name‑snipe account by makkapakka3 and password leak【185914761516366†L575-L586】.
[4] Forum post by MrDoomBringer explaining that 1x1x1x1 was part of Roblox lore and not a hacker【185914761516366†L604-L637】.
[5] Early rumors and myth status: 1x1x1x1 as a throwaway account turned legend【845804337314892†L490-L499】 and his portrayal as a fourth‑dimensional entity【845804337314892†L490-L506】.
[6] Event appearances referencing 1x1x1x1 in Eggstravaganza 2010, Egg Hunt 2019, Ready Player Two, Bloxy Awards and The Classic【185914761516366†L641-L675】.