Title: About Myths
Source revision: https://mythcommunity.miraheze.org/w/index.php?oldid=108396
Contributors: https://mythcommunity.miraheze.org/wiki/About_Myths?action=history
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ unless otherwise noted
{{Hunter Template|title1=About Myths|image1=DistinshInterpretationOfG0Z.webp|caption1=The avatar of [[G0Z]], one of the most well-known myths on Roblox.|activity=|join_date=|title2=|role=|affiliations=}}{{Quote|'''When hunting a myth, it isn't to find who made it, but why it was made.'''|[[Activvity]]}}
A '''myth''' is a story, specifically one that is unique to the social game platform [https://roblox.fandom.com/wiki/Roblox Roblox]. There are two kinds of myths on Roblox: folktales created by Roblox players, generally referred to as [[:Category:Legends|Legends]], which are closely related to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creepypasta creepypastas], and actual accounts with a narrative using Roblox as a storytelling format.
Many people think of a myth as being a "horror account" or a "creepypasta", and while many more older myths that are much more widely recognized amongst the broader Roblox community are generally more horror themed, this isn't necessarily the case, a myth does not have to be horror themed.
==Overview on Myths==
Myth hunting revolves around the premise of "hunting" (another term for "investigating") Roblox myths. Myth hunters are players that actively investigate myths.
In the earliest forum posts of [[SmithCult]], before myth groups were established, the predecessors of myth hunters called myths "creepypasta guys", or creepy/weird Roblox accounts. Many of them believed that myths were hackers or anomalies, if not real people. It is unknown how the term "myth" was actually coined, however it is widely agreed that myths are typically a Roblox account or a connected series of Roblox accounts that exist to tell a story, although some myths are actually myths in the traditional sense—folktales made up by Roblox players. These stories, if done properly, are told in a coherent, thorough, yet also mysterious method that is uncovered through rigorous investigation.
Much of a myth's story and character can be observed through all of what the myth has created, such as (if applicable) games, models, and decals, but this can also include a myth's dialogue or body language (i.e. the way that they interact and move in-game). The [https://roblox.fandom.com/wiki/Forums Roblox forums] when they existed were also a method of myth storytelling, as observed in the ramblings of SmithCult. Some stories are of varying quality, but that does not mean that myths can be considered a "wannabe" or "edgy try-hard," as anyone could be a Myth.
[[File:Grimblox.png|thumb|220x220px|A model of the popular Robloxian folktale [[Grimblox]] (via DeliciousBakedPie)|left]]
Some myths are folktales made up by Roblox players, often called '''Roblox Legends'''. These stories usually predate most myths and are recognized as Classic Myths, they usually are [[:Category:Non Player Myths|not actual Roblox accounts]]. These stories usually have some real-life stakes, such as death, insanity, or Roblox account termination.
There is no such thing as a 'fake' or 'real' myth. The difference is how they portray their stories. Popular myths are popular because they’re able to tell a good story that is interesting and is able to grab a hunters' attention and maintain it.
One exception to this rule is when a Roblox player creates an account in order to insert themselves into an existing narrative without permission, such as fake Cult family members. This act is frowned upon by members of the community and warrants the term "wannabe", as they want to be a part of the myth, so they force themselves into the narrative without actually being involved.
==Myth Classification==
''Main article: [[Myth Terminology]]''
In most Roblox groups, myths are ranked according to the quality of the games and the overall number of place visits of the myth game itself. Group myths and family myths are exceptions to this.
Occasionally, myths are also classified based on their behavior. For instance, a "hostile" myth will do everything they can to deter myth hunters and will actively temper with their investigation. Most myths are "safe" meaning that they will answer questions and are typically agreeable. Some myths are in-between.
==Types of Myths==
''Main article: [[Myth Types]]''
Naturally, if any niche exists for a long time, archetypes will begin to pop up. Many myths can be categorized into one of several categories based on the general aesthetic or tone of the myth. These styles can include: clown myths, void styled myths, myths that focus on a Cult of some sort, surreal (or abstract) myths, or a family myth. Myths are not limited to just these styles and it is typically the mark of a unique and interesting myth if it does not pertain to any style altogether.
== About Myth Groups ==
[[File:4cc65a9ce04516676b1a0aea8e7cfd0f.png|thumb|220x220px|The logo for [[The Smiles Family]], the largest myth group on Roblox.|right]]'''Myth Groups''' are groups created as extensions of a myth. They often serve as fan groups for a myth, where fans can gather and discuss a myth, or as a place to store the many characters found in a myth. Myth groups are also often used along side social media platforms to announce new updates for a community. Myth groups also often host games, particularly games which tie into a larger story line, rather than the story of a single character.
=== Types of Myth Groups ===
==== Fan Groups ====
Fan Groups were the first and one of the more popular types of myth groups which were created. Examples of this are [https://www.roblox.com/groups/82311/Lost-Void#!/about Lost Void] and [https://www.roblox.com/groups/4820093/Worshipers-of-Lezus Worshipers of Lezus].
==== Family Groups ====
Family Groups, similar to Family Myths, are myths who are about a family. Examples of this are [[The Cult Family]], [[The Smiles Family]] and [[The Cole Family]].
==== Cult Groups ====
Cult Groups are groups which partake in a cult. This can be similar to actual cults or be about certain deities, such as [[Noli]]. It is also common that Cult Myths are also Family Myths. Examples of this are [[The Void Cult]], [[The Cult Family]] and [[Believers Of The Deity]].
=== History ===
The first myth groups usually served as fan groups for others, such as [[Noli]]. A notable example of this is Lost Void, which was created on the same day as the original Noli forum post. Most myths which were groups tended to not have an actual Roblox group, such as [[The Cult Family]] and [[Nemoy]]'s group of myths. The first notable myth groups were created around 2017 and 2018. This is when [[Collaboration!|Collaboration]], [https://www.roblox.com/groups/3833096/Cult-Family-Defunct#!/about The Official Cult Family], [https://www.roblox.com/groups/3859063/The-Tortured-Souls#!/affiliates The Tortured Souls] and others were created. Even some smaller groups, such as [[Believers Of The Deity]], [[Clowns of the West]] and [[The Smiles Family]] were made. Since 2018, many myth groups began being created, for both group myths and solo myths.
==History of Myths on Roblox==
''Main article: [[Timeline of Roblox Myth History]]''
===1st Generation Myths (2006-2011)===
In the early years of Roblox, discussions on odd Roblox users were frequent on the website's forums, and videos were created on these oddities. On December 7th, 2008, the user aquajet316 created a series on YouTube called 'Roblox Myth Investigators.' In the first video of the series, aquajet316 showed an object in his game, known as [[The Weird Thing]], which became one of the first myths on Roblox.
One myth that was frequently spoken of in the Roblox forums was [[Noli]]. Roblox players took notice of the mysterious user and started creating videos about him on platforms such as YouTube. The early fanfare surrounding Noli led to the earliest Noli/Void inspired myths, such as [[Lezus]]. Other prominent myths such as [[Zeltrek]], who was terminated for posting about Satanism, [[1x1x1x1]] and [[John and Jane Doe]], who were feared to hack Roblox players, and [[Nemoy]], who was centered around a Roblox forum creepypasta, popped up.
===2nd Generation Myths (2012-2016)===
By the early 2010s, multiple myth hunting groups were created. 2012 saw a big shift in the myth community, with myths such as [[G0Z]], pioneer of the 'clown myth,' and [[The Cult Family]], one of the first family myths, joining Roblox. The popular [[Robloxian Myth Hunters]] group was created, along with the infamous 2012 April Fools Incident. The following years saw the makings of the well-known classic myths, like [[Mulberries]]. The creation of the well known myth hunting group [[Roblox's Myths]] brought more attention to the myth community. [[Littlenathanial]], who joined in 2015, was an innovator of the 'trigger myth' subgenre. [[The Nursery Myths]], and later the [[Shadelight]] myths, were hunted extensively, and a notable Roblox's Myths investigation took place. Many myth hunters used YoutTube as a way to show their finds in creepy Roblox games. thewwe1938 and other myth YouTubers made Roblox myth series' and gained a loyal following.
===3rd Generation Myths (2017-2019)===
Fears of users hacking Roblox players spread like wildfire in 2017. Test accounts 1x1x1x1, John and Jane Doe, and others gained notoriety. The topic was covered extensively by popular YouTubers and led to the myth community having more publicity. Famous Roblox YouTuber [[Flamingo]] documenting the hacker/horror inspired myth [[RUST_010]] led to a surge of myths and myth hunters in the year after. Flamingo's Roblox myth series brought attention to many myths, such as the Noli inspired myth [[The Cole Family]], the biggest myth group on Roblox, [[The Smiles Family]], the abstract myth [[Grocery Gang]], among others. The massive popularity on the myth community brought attention to many controversies, such as the #stopkazdam movement in 2018, Grocery Gang's dissolution in 2020, and [[Kazdam]]'s exile in the same year.
===4th Generation Myths (2020-Present)===
The exile of Kazdam and the eventual shut down of Roblox's Myths led to short uncertainty as to where the myth community stood. The scandal left many older myths in jeopardy. Their absence led to newer myths, such as [[AmeliaAgard]] and [[OurBonsaiTree]], gaining in popularity. Utilizing social media to promote myths grew popular during this time, with myths like [[4nn1]] and [[Jenny_Feelings]] going viral on the platform TikTok. [[Unseenbones]]' rise to fame in 2022 due to being documented by Kreekcraft brought in new interest to 'hacker myths.' Myth events became trendy, with the [[RMD Myth Awards]] and the [[Myth Community Wiki Awards]] being established in 2021. The 2023 Myth Prom drew in a record of over 500 Roblox players. Many records were broken during this time, with 4nn1 becoming the myth with the most place visits in 2022.
myth timeline.png|Timeline covering major events throughout myth genre history (via [[Gopherberry]])
unknown.png|Timeline covering popularity of several myths. (via [[Gopherberry]])
mythplacevisits.jpeg|A bar chart showing the most popular myths by place visits. (via [[User:BingBangRoadblocks58|BingBangRoadblocks58]])
[[Category:Main Articles]]