One Million Checkboxes, the addictive internet game that will make you so mad, explained

This game is SO FRUSTRATING.

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you seen some stuff about a game called One Million Checkboxes and how it’s causing people to go at each other while they play it? And you’re very confused about that whole thing? Don’t worry. We’re here to help.

Yes, that’s right. There’s a game called One Million Checkboxes. It’s literally a page of a million checkboxes that you can click, which sounds very relaxing, mindless and a little impossible.

Did I mention that it’s not just you who’s trying to click those checkboxes? Got more complicated, didn’t it? Let’s break it all down.

What is One Million Checkboxes and how do I play?

It’s an online game made by maker eieio. Simply click on that link and start clicking on boxes along with the other folks who are doing the same in real time.

I made a website. it's called "one million checkboxes dot com". it has one million checkboxes on it.

checking a box checks it for everyone.

that's it. have fun! pic.twitter.com/KBF4UqCMJc

— nolen (@itseieio) June 26, 2024

Wait, I have to play it with other people? Are they all trying to click all the checkboxes?

Uh, yes you do. And … um, no they are not.

Wow, One Million Checkboxes is so delightfully weird. Designed to be maximally frustrating to those who crave order. Like the plight of Sisyphus or those trying to run a functional government entity. https://t.co/rk8Hrt0TDa

— PBJ (@joecarryon) June 27, 2024

They’re not trying to click all the checkboxes? Who would do such a thing?

[Scratches his head] Well, yeah. This is the internet, after all. Trolling is all the rage, and rage is always a thing, right? So there are people who are clicking and those who are unclicking.

Spent all morning checking boxes on One Million Checkboxes and now Baylor’s going through unchecking boxes we are getting Divorced

— Nelly Frittata (@araeoflight) June 27, 2024

What happens when all 1 million checkboxes are checked?

That’s a great question that no one has been able to answer because PEOPLE KEEP UNCLICKING!

Can’t we all just get along and put in the effort to team up to find out?

Doubtful. Good luck with that.