Roblox Officially Cracks Down on Doomscrolling-Reward Games After Controversy
Roblox has introduced new restrictions on games that reward players for continuously consuming media feeds, following controversy around the viral game Steal an Egg. The move matters because it targets designs combining autoplay, infinite scrolling and in-game rewards, particularly within Roblox’s Kids and Select categories, amid wider scrutiny of the platform’s safety and influence on young users.
Steal an Egg reportedly attracted more than 500,000 concurrent players and let users increase their speed by paying with Robux or running on virtual treadmills while browsing a TikTok-like feed. The game was briefly removed before returning without the feed feature. The policy update also comes shortly after a US Senate investigation and several state-level inquiries into allegations concerning child exploitation and safety on Roblox.
- Roblox restricts reward-based doomscrolling game mechanics.
- Steal an Egg returned without its media feed.
- Wider child-safety scrutiny continues.
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Roblox is an online platform where people can create and play games made by other users. Many players are children, and the platform groups some games into Kids and Select categories, which are intended for younger audiences.
Steal an Egg combined game rewards with a video feed that players could scroll through without reaching an end. Players could also pay with Robux, Roblox’s virtual currency, to move faster. Designs that keep people watching or scrolling are sometimes called “doomscrolling” features.
The debate comes as Roblox faces wider scrutiny over children’s safety on the platform, including a US Senate investigation and inquiries by several states. The rules for games aimed at younger players matter because they shape what kinds of features creators can offer there.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
These game designs deliberately exploit children's psychology through combinations of infinite scrolling, autoplay, and reward systems—mechanisms proven in neuroscience to trigger addictive behaviour. Roblox bears responsibility for preventing such demonstrably manipulative mechanics on its platform, especially in categories aimed at young users. Given documented harms and the regulatory scrutiny now focused on the platform's safety practices, removing these specific design elements represents a proportionate and necessary protective measure.
The case against
Platform-level restrictions on specific mechanic combinations may prove performative rather than addressing systemic issues. Many legitimate games employ similar reward loops and engagement systems; determining where to draw clear boundaries is inherently subjective and risks constraining creative game design. Transparency requirements and meaningful parental controls would better empower families to make informed choices, whilst maintaining developers' creative freedom and addressing the underlying causes of problematic engagement more effectively.