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The platform hosts [[List of Roblox games|millions of user-created games]] (officially referred to as "experiences"), all created using a dialect of the [[programming language]] [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]] and the platform's game engine, Roblox Studio. While Roblox is [[free-to-play]], it features in-game purchases done through its virtual currency known as Robux, and game developers on the platform are able to create items that cost Robux. Furthermore, the platform hosts a large [[virtual economy]] centered around those items and Robux. Using the platform's "Developer Exchange" program, creators on the platform are able to exchange their earned Robux for real-world currency. The platform has also been used to host [[virtual concert]]s and events, as well as [[advergames]].
While Roblox started off small—both in playerbase and as a company—it began to grow rapidly in the second half of the 2010s. This growth was further [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the video game industry|accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic]]. By 2020, over 5,000 games on Roblox had been played over a million times, and over 20 had been played over one billion times. Although critic reviews for Roblox have been positive, it has faced heavy criticism for its [[content moderation]], which in turn has led to a large amount of [[pornography|sexual]] or [[extremism|politically extremist]] material on the platform. It has also been criticized for its alleged [[Child safety on Roblox|exploitative practices toward children]] and [[microtransaction]]s. The platform has been restricted or completely blocked in several countries, including [[China]], [[Turkey]], [[Qatar]], and [[Jordan]].
== Overview ==
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=== Roblox Studio and game design ===
[[File:Roblox Studio New UI.png|thumb|The Roblox Studio interface as of August 2024]]
Roblox Studio is the platform's game engine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gould |first=Elie |date=2022-11-14 |title=Roblox is using the metaverse and AI to make creating games accessible |url=https://www.techradar.com/features/roblox-is-using-the-metaverse-and-ai-to-make-creating-games-accessible |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802033546/https://www.techradar.com/features/roblox-is-using-the-metaverse-and-ai-to-make-creating-games-accessible |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[TechRadar]] |language=en}}</ref> and game development software.<ref name=":101">{{Cite web |last=Haskins |first=Heath |date=September 16, 2021 |title=Roblox 101: How to Make Your First Game |url=https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/roblox-101-how-to-make-your-first-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804215231/https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/roblox-101-how-to-make-your-first-game |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=[[PCMag]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2023-01-18 |title=Roblox says 70 user-created games have crossed a billion plays |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ceo-says-70-user-created-games-have-crossed-a-billion-plays/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721113943/https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ceo-says-70-user-created-games-have-crossed-a-billion-plays/ |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The engine and all games made on Roblox predominantly uses Luau,<ref name=":41">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Ron |date=2022-07-24 |title=Roblox beefs up its developer tools as it looks to a future beyond games |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/24/roblox-beefs-up-its-developer-tools-as-it-looks-to-a-future-beyond-games/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |language=en-US}}</ref> a dialect of the [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]] 5.1 [[programming language]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Luau? |url=https://luau.org/why |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Luau |publisher=[[Roblox Corporation]] |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130081648/https://luau.org/why |url-status=live }}</ref> Since November 2021, the programming language has been [[Open-source software|open sourced]] under the [[MIT License]].<ref name=":41" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Luau Goes Open-Source |url=https://luau-lang.org/2021/11/03/luau-goes-open-source.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803175411/https://luau-lang.org/2021/11/03/luau-goes-open-source.html |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Luau |publisher=[[Roblox Corporation]] |language=en}}</ref> Some aspects of the engine were created using [[C++]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2021-07-21 |title=Roblox CEO podcasts about the rise of the metaverse |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ceo-podcasts-about-the-rise-of-the-metaverse/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> To assist in the creation of games, Roblox Studio features multiple pre-made templates that users can modify.<ref name=":101" />
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Baszucki and Cassel worked alone while making the earlier versions of Roblox, and created their own games on the platform before the creation tools were completed. These early versions of Roblox were extremely basic, with player avatars having not been animated yet and various features only being present in their most simplified form. They also advertised Roblox on some websites, leading to a few dozen players joining the platform as playtesters. In mid-2006, the first two employees that weren't Cassel or Baszucki were hired to work on the platform's other features. These employees were Matt Dusek and John Shedletsky, with Dusek being responsible for working on the platform's communication aspects.<ref name=":12" />
Roblox was officially released on September 1, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Roblox |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games/roblox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130044303/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games/roblox |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |language=en}}</ref> with Roblox Studio being made available that same year. Games that were made by the community early in the platform's history included paintball games, haunted houses and model trains that players could ride. In 2008, the Roblox Corporation stopped actively creating their own games to demonstrate the platform's capabilities, becoming entirely reliant on user-created games.<ref name=":12" /> During this time in 2007, Roblox introduced the "Builders Club" membership subscription, which allowed for users to create more games under their account, sell virtual clothing, remove outside advertisements from the site and gain Robux daily.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shedletsky |first=John |date=August 16, 2007 |title=Builders Club is Here! |url=https://blog.roblox.com/2007/08/builders-club-is-coming |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005094543/http://blog.roblox.com/2007/08/builders-club-is-here/ |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Blog}}</ref> They would subsequently add two additional tiers: Turbo Builders Club and Outrageous Builders Club.<ref name=":23" /> Early in the platform's history, it had two separate currencies: Robux and Tickets, with the latter often being referred to as "Tix".<ref name=:16>{{Citation |last=Baszucki |first=David |title=Saying Goodbye to Tickets |date=2022-08-14 |work=Roblox Blog |url=https://blog.roblox.com/2016/03/saying-goodbye-to-tickets/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814104209/https://blog.roblox.com/2016/03/saying-goodbye-to-tickets/ |archive-date=2022-08-14}}</ref>
=== 2010–2015: Early growth ===
{{multiple image
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Around this time, Roblox optimized the way that its different releases were developed over the course of 3 years, reaching a point where only a minimal amount of engineers were needed to maintain the platforms it was available on and all versions functioned off of the same APIs.<ref name=":12" /> In April 2016, Roblox became available for [[Oculus Rift]], alongside a variety of quality-of-life features made specifically for that platform. The company also expressed interest in porting Roblox to other virtual reality devices in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaudiosi |first=John |date=April 15, 2016 |title=This Company Just Introduced 20 Million People to Oculus Rift |url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/15/roblox-vr-oculus-rift/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130002929/http://fortune.com/2016/04/15/roblox-vr-oculus-rift/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref> In June of that year, the company also released a dedicated app for [[Windows 10]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=June 10, 2016 |title=After Xbox One success, Roblox now has a dedicated Windows 10 app |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/10/after-xbox-one-success-roblox-now-has-a-dedicated-windows-10-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130003633/https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/10/after-xbox-one-success-roblox-now-has-a-dedicated-windows-10-app/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> Efforts were also made towards making Roblox more accessible, with automatic [[machine translation]] being added to in-game chat in 2020, initially supporting 9 languages.<ref name=":30" /> In 2019, the Roblox Corporation signed a partnership deal with [[Tencent]] to bring Roblox to [[China]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=2020-02-27 |title=Roblox raises $150M Series G, led by Andreessen Horowitz, now valued at $4B |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/26/roblox-raises-150m-series-g-led-by-andreessen-horowitz-now-valued-at-4b/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124100414/https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/26/roblox-raises-150m-series-g-led-by-andreessen-horowitz-now-valued-at-4b/ |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and was given permission to release in the region on December 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=December 3, 2020 |title=Roblox cleared for launch in China |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-cleared-for-launch-in-china |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203091258/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-12-03-roblox-cleared-for-launch-in-china#:~:text=Roblox%20is%20officially%20heading%20to,date%20has%20been%20given%20yet. |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2021 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref>
During this time period, several features from the platform were removed. In 2016, Roblox discontinued its secondary currency, "Tickets", making Robux the platform's only currency. It was removed due to the company believing newer players would get confused by the presence of two separate currencies.<ref name=":16" /> In October 2017, Roblox removed the ability for people to play as a "guest", which allowed users to play games on the platform without having to use an account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vaz |first=Christian |date=2022-11-14 |title=Roblox guest - what are guests and what happened to them |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/roblox/guest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102155342/https://www.pockettactics.com/roblox/guest |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[Pocket Tactics]] |language=en-US}}</ref> That same year, Roblox discontinued its official player [[Internet forum|forums]] for an undisclosed reason.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Kyle |date=December 15, 2021 |title=Roblox is facing accusations of being unsafe for children |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/roblox-facing-accusations-unsafe-children |access-date=December 19, 2021 |website=[[USA Today|For The Win]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218043641/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/roblox-facing-accusations-unsafe-children |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, in 2019, Roblox released Roblox Premium, which replaced its previous Builders Club
=== 2021–2025 ===
The growth of Roblox, both as a platform and as a company, continued into 2021 and the following years.<ref name=":35">{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=2022-02-16 |title=If Roblox's daily users were a country, it would be bigger than Canada |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/if-robloxs-daily-users-were-a-country-it-would-be-bigger-than-canada/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |last=Monica |first=Paul R. La |date=2021-03-10 |title=Roblox goes public and the gaming platform is instantly worth more than $45 billion |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/investing/roblox-stock-direct-listing/index.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2021-03-11 |title=Why is everyone talking about Roblox? |url=https://www.polygon.com/22326123/what-is-roblox-explainer-public-offering |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2021, the Roblox Corporation [[Initial public offering|went public]], and became valued at $45 billion.<ref name=":36" /> Throughout 2021, Roblox averaged 45.5 million daily active users, a 40% increase from the end of 2020.<ref name=":35" /> In 2023, Roblox released public beta versions of the platform for [[Quest 2]] and [[Meta Quest Pro]] on July 27, with full versions released in September.<ref name="QuestBeta2">{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |date=July 27, 2023 |title=Roblox is now available to try on Meta Quest VR headsets |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/27/23810093/meta-quest-roblox-vr-headsets-beta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909082101/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/27/23810093/meta-quest-roblox-vr-headsets-beta |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> At the same time, a port of Roblox to the [[PlayStation 4]] were announced,<ref name="QuestRelease2">{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Roblox is finally coming to PlayStation |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23863712/roblox-playstation-ps4-ps5-rdc-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909081415/https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23863712/roblox-playstation-ps4-ps5-rdc-2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> and later released on October 10.<ref name="PSRelease2">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Roblox launches on PlayStation in October |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/roblox-launches-on-playstation-in-october |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925053738/https://www.eurogamer.net/roblox-launches-on-playstation-in-october |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en}}</ref> It is playable on the [[PlayStation 5]] via [[backward compatibility]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carcasole |first=David |date=2023-10-10 |title=Roblox Is Now Available On PS5 And PS4 |url=https://www.psu.com/news/roblox-is-now-available-on-ps5-and-ps4/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=PlayStation Universe |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, Roblox made it to where games on the platform are referred to as "experiences" following the platform's involvement in the ''[[Epic Games v. Apple]]'' lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2022-04-01 |title=Roblox backs Apple in ongoing battle against Epic's appeal |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-backs-apple-in-ongoing-battle-against-epics-appeal |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |language=en}}</ref> In June of that year, Roblox was sued by the [[National Music Publishers' Association]] (NMPA), alleging that the platform allowed users to upload copyrighted music without obtaining proper licensing, and made children believe that [[Music piracy|pirating music]] was acceptable.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Tori |date=10 June 2021 |title=Music publishers sue Roblox in $200 million copyright infringement lawsuit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/music-publishers-sue-roblox-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106183536/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/music-publishers-sue-roblox-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/ |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=6 January 2025 |website=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> The lawsuit was dropped by September, ending with the Roblox Corporation and the NMPA forming a collaboration to establish a framework for future publisher partnerships.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Cathy |date=27 September 2021 |title=National Music Publishers Assn. Drops $200 Million Roblox Lawsuit, Forms Partnership For Metaverse |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyolson/2021/09/27/national-music-publishers-assn-drops-200-mil-roblox-lawsuit-forms-partnership-for-metaverse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128092815/https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyolson/2021/09/27/national-music-publishers-assn-drops-200-mil-roblox-lawsuit-forms-partnership-for-metaverse/ |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |access-date=6 January 2025 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>
After being given permission in late 2020, Roblox released in China in July 2021.<ref name=":39" /> This version of the platform, officially known as LuoBu,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Sophie McEvoy |date=2023-10-24 |title=Roblox China affected by layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-china-affected-by-layoffs |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228000427/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-china-affected-by-layoffs |url-status=live }}</ref> was published and operated by Tencent,<ref name=":39">{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-01-09 |title=Roblox Shuts Down In China As It Works On Rebuild |url=https://www.thegamer.com/roblox-closes-in-china-rebuilding/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[TheGamer]] |language=en}}</ref> and was heavily restricted due to [[Video games in China|China's regulations on video games]].<ref name=":40">{{Cite web |title=Roblox's China ambitions risk falling flat |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8542ddf7-0962-4019-9450-10f2ec7b9d07 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[Financial Times]] |date=November 20, 2021 |language=en-GB |last1=Olcott |first1=Eleanor }}</ref> LuoBu failed to grow to substantially throughout its history, and was unable to generate much profit.<ref name=":40" /> In January 2022, LuoBu was shut down, with Roblox stating that they were going to redevelop the release, and that LuoBu was only ever intended to be a test version.<ref name=":39" /> In July of that year, documents of business slides from presentations as early as 2017 were leaked online by an unknown hacker. These documents revealed that the Roblox Corporation was planning to make several changes to the platform worldwide to comply with [[Internet censorship in China|Chinese internet censorship laws]], and that prior to canceling operations, they were concerned that Tencent would hack the platform and attempt to create a competitor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Joseph |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Revealed: Documents Show How Roblox Planned to Bend to Chinese Censorship |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/revealed-documents-show-how-roblox-planned-to-bend-to-chinese-censorship/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725142942/https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxndpx/revealed-documents-show-how-roblox-planned-to-bend-to-chinese-censorship |archive-date=July 25, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022 |website=[[Motherboard (website)|Motherboard]] |publisher=Vice Media Group LLC}}</ref>
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==Community and culture==
As of February 2025, Roblox has reported over 85.3 million daily active users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subin |first=Samantha |date=2025-02-06 |title=Roblox plummets 11% on disappointing bookings, daily active users miss |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/06/roblox-plummets-on-disappointing-bookings-daily-active-users-miss.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> According to the company, the monthly player base includes half of all American children under the age of 16.<ref name="NYTimes" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name="Verge">{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Over half of US kids are playing Roblox, and it's about to host Fortnite-esque virtual parties too |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/21/21333431/roblox-over-half-of-us-kids-playing-virtual-parties-fortnite |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=[[The Verge]] |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721233026/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/21/21333431/roblox-over-half-of-us-kids-playing-virtual-parties-fortnite |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to traditional games, the platform also hosts social hangout places;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marnell |first=Blair |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Putting Restrictions On Kids In Social Hangouts |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/roblox-is-putting-restrictions-on-kids-in-social-hangouts/1100-6527648/ |access-date=July 11, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref> players have used the platform to express [[Activism|political activism]], with some users declaring their support for the [[George Floyd protests]] and [[Black Lives Matter]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parker-Pope |first=Tara |author-link=Tara Parker-Pope |date=June 24, 2020 |title=How to Raise an Anti-Racist Kid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/well/family/how-to-raise-an-anti-racist-kid.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127234351/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/well/family/how-to-raise-an-anti-racist-kid.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=June 27, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and some using the platform to perform activities that were paused by COVID-19 lockdowns like [[Procession|religious processions]].<ref name="nazareno">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-03 |title='Virtual' na paggunita sa Pista ng Nazareno nagsimula na |url=https://
===Merchandise===
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== Reception ==
{{further|Child safety on Roblox}}
<!-- Please do not create a separate Cricism/Controversies section as making a separate header for them would compromise the neutrality of the article. See the [[WP:NOV]] policy and the [[WP:CRITS]] essay. Also see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Video_games/Archive_178#Roblox_%22Criticism_and_controversies%22_section -->
Critical reception of Roblox has been generally positive. [[Common Sense Media]] rated Roblox 4 out of 5 stars, praising the website's variety of games and ability to encourage creativity in children while finding that the decentralized nature of the platform meant game quality varied, and recommended disabling chat functions for young players to prevent possibly harmful interactions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brereton |first=Erin |date=November 14, 2019 |title=Roblox |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/roblox |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=[[Common Sense Media]] |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208171007/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/roblox |url-status=live }}</ref> Patricia E. Vance of the [[Family Online Safety Institute]] advised parents to monitor their child's interactions on the platform but praised the platform for "...allowing kids to play, explore, socialize, create and learn in a self-directed way", and granting special praise to Roblox Studio for its ability to encourage children to experience game development.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vance |first=Patricia E. |date=December 19, 2018 |title=What Parents Need To Know About Roblox |url=https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/what-parents-need-know-about-roblox/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708131228/https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/what-parents-need-know-about-roblox/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=June 27, 2020 |website=[[Family Online Safety Institute]]}}</ref> ''[[Trusted Reviews]]'', in its overview of the platform, also praised Roblox Studio, stating that "for anyone seeking to develop their computer science skills, or create projects that will instantly receive feedback from a huge audience, the appeal is obvious".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahboubian-Jones |first=Justin |date=December 15, 2016 |title=What is Roblox? The world's most popular game you might not have heard of |url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/opinion/what-is-roblox-the-world-s-most-popular-game-you-might-not-have-heard-of-2946534 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=[[Trusted Reviews]] |publisher=[[TI Media]] |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009024509/http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinion/what-is-roblox-the-world-s-most-popular-game-you-might-not-have-heard-of-2946534 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Roblox has been criticized several times due to the content that is present on the platform,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=People hate Roblox more than any other app in 21 countries |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/people-hate-roblox |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813222230/https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/people-hate-roblox |url-status=live}}</ref> specifically the presence of sexual<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Conklin |first=Audrey |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Roblox teen gamers engage in sexual behavior in platform's 'red light district': report |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/roblox-discord-teen-gamers-inappropriate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101115812/https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/roblox-discord-teen-gamers-inappropriate |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |work=[[Fox Business]]}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite web |author1=Carville, Olivia |author2=D'Anastasio, Cecillia |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Roblox's Pedophile Problem |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726190606/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/ |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]}}</ref> or politically extremist-related material.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farivar |first=Cyrus |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Extremists creep into Roblox, an online game popular with children |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/extremists-creep-roblox-online-game-popular-children-n1045056 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311180608/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/extremists-creep-roblox-online-game-popular-children-n1045056 |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |work=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite magazine |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |title=How 'Roblox' Became a Playground for Virtual Fascists |url=https://www.wired.com/story/roblox-online-games-irl-fascism-roman-empire/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910175853/https://www.wired.com/story/roblox-online-games-irl-fascism-roman-empire/ |archive-date=2021-09-10 |access-date=2023-11-27 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028|date=2021-06-10}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=March 3, 2023 |title=US Congress "disappointed" with companies' response to extremism concerns |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/us-congress-disappointed-with-companies-response-to-extremism-concerns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222160611/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/us-congress-disappointed-with-companies-response-to-extremism-concerns |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=November 27, 2023 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Brandom |first=Russell |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Roblox is struggling to moderate re-creations of mass shootings |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/17/22628624/roblox-moderation-trust-and-safety-terrorist-content-christchurch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114145027/https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/17/22628624/roblox-moderation-trust-and-safety-terrorist-content-christchurch |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, its chat and game filtration system has been negatively received.<ref name="Roblox criticism">{{Cite news |last1=Vengattil |first1=Munsif |last2=Munn |first2=Joseph |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Kids gaming platform Roblox faces hurdles ahead of public listing: rough words |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-gaming-roblox-content-focus/kids-gaming-platform-roblox-faces-hurdles-ahead-of-public-listing-rough-words-idUKKBN27Z1GK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228182015/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-gaming-roblox-content-focus/kids-gaming-platform-roblox-faces-hurdles-ahead-of-public-listing-rough-words-idUKKBN27Z1GK |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Stonehouse |first=Rachel |date=May 29, 2020 |title=Roblox: 'I thought he was playing an innocent game' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48450604 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329041522/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48450604 |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Examples of sexual or politically extreme content that has appeared on the platform throughout its history include places themed around virtual [[sex club]]s and [[nightclub]]s, all of which are generally referred to as "condo" games,<ref name=":8" /> and content related to [[Far-right politics|far-right ideologies]] such as [[neo-fascism]] and [[neo-Nazism]],<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":15" /> such as games that allow players to [[Role-playing|roleplay]] as Nazis or recreate real world massacres such as the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]],<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":10" /> the [[Columbine High School massacre]] and the [[Uvalde school shooting]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2025 |title=The Dark Side of Roblox: 'Active Shooter Studios' Create Maps Based on Real-Life Mass Shootings |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/article/dark-side-roblox-active-shooter-studios-create-maps-based-real-life-mass |publisher=Anti-Defamation League}}</ref> To combat the presence of this content, Roblox has over 1,600 people working to remove such material from the platform,<ref name="Roblox criticism" /> and also offers privacy settings and [[parental controls]];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Magid |first=Larry |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Larry Magid: Keeping kids safe on Roblox |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/11/05/keeping-kids-safe-on-roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128034053/https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/11/05/keeping-kids-safe-on-roblox/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020 |work=[[The Mercury News]]}}</ref> a 2020 investigation by ''[[Fast Company]]'' found that sexual content was very prevalent on Roblox and likened attempts to remove the material to [[Whac-A-Mole|whack-a-mole]].<ref name="SLV">{{Cite news |last=Helm |first=Burt |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Sex, lies, and video games: Inside Roblox's war on porn |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90539906/sex-lies-and-video-games-inside-roblox-war-on-porn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819180554/https://www.fastcompany.com/90539906/sex-lies-and-video-games-inside-roblox-war-on-porn |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=[[Fast Company]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Samantha |date=November 21, 2020 |title=Roblox Goes Public, Says Child Pornography Is a Risk to Its Business |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/roblox-goes-public-says-child-pornography-is-a-risk-to-its-business/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201184039/https://www.vice.com/en/article/epdzxk/roblox-goes-public-says-child-pornography-is-a-risk-to-its-business |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=[[Vice Media|Motherboard]]}}</ref> The platform has also seen numerous reports of [[Online predator|sexual predation on child players]],<ref name=":31">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Rich |date=8 August 2024 |title=Turkey just straight-up banned Roblox for 'child exploitation' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/turkey-just-straight-up-banned-roblox-for-child-exploitation/ |access-date=10 August 2024 |website=[[PCGamer]]}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> which a 2024 ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]'' report attributed to insufficient moderation, which has been viewed as overly reliant on [[artificial intelligence]], and also due to how users on the platform are anonymous.<ref name=":9" /> Since January 2025, United States police have arrested at least six people alleged to have used Roblox to find and sexually exploit children, including "coercing minors into making pornography".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aftermath.site/roblox-sexual-exploitation-of-children-lawsuit-safety |title=Roblox Accused Of Allowing Sexual Exploitation In Four Separate Lawsuits |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=June 25, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |website=[[Aftermath (website)|Aftermath]]}}</ref> In response to perceived moderation issues, there have been instances where players have formed "vigilante groups" to mass report predatory content and users on the platform.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Hales |first=Adam |date=2025-08-12 |title=Roblox faces backlash after banning YouTuber Schlep, a vigilant figure exposing predators on their platform. Controversy unfolds. |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/roblox-faces-backlash-for-banning-youtuber-who-aimed-to-expose-platform-predators-and-threatens-legal-action |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=[[Windows Central]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Christopher |date=2025-08-12 |title=YouTuber caught sexual predators on Roblox. Now he’s facing ban from the platform. |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2025/08/youtuber-caught-sexual-predators-on-roblox-now-hes-facing-ban-from-the-platform.html |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=[[NJ.com]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Roblox Child Safety Controversy Grows: Louisiana Sues Gaming Platform |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/08/15/louisiana-sues-roblox-as-controversy-over-child-safety-and-banning-vigilante-users-grows/ |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Roblox has spoken out against the existence of these groups, claiming they cause more harm than good, such as by luring in predators by impersonating children. In August 2025, Roblox sent a [[cease and desist]] to
Roblox's business model has also been criticized, with the platform being accused of featuring exploitative practices that target children;<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=August 20, 2021 |title=Roblox "exploiting" young game developers, new investigation reports |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-08-20-roblox-exploiting-young-game-developers-new-investigation-reports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204162801/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-08-20-roblox-exploiting-young-game-developers-new-investigation-reports |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |access-date=December 4, 2021 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Wen |first=Alan |date=August 20, 2021 |title='Roblox' is allegedly exploiting young game developers |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/roblox-is-allegedly-exploiting-young-game-developers-3024548 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204162801/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/roblox-is-allegedly-exploiting-young-game-developers-3024548 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |access-date=December 4, 2021 |website=[[NME]] |publisher=[[BandLab Technologies]]}}</ref> Professor Jane Juffer at [[Cornell University]] accused Roblox of encouraging [[consumerism]] in children.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Juffer |first=Jane |title=Don't use your words! : children's emotions in a networked world |date=2019 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=9781479833054 |___location=New York}}</ref> Some found that the platform made it very easy to purchase [[microtransaction]]s, leading to numerous instances where children have spent large sums of money on the platform without parents' knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Roblox: Wrexham mum's warning after daughter's iPad bill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51328762 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155823/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51328762 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tims |first=Anna |date=March 11, 2020 |title=My kids spent £600 on their iPads without my knowledge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/11/my-kids-spent-600-on-their-ipads-without-my-knowledge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155823/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/11/my-kids-spent-600-on-their-ipads-without-my-knowledge |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In April 2022, [[Truth in Advertising (organization)|Truth in Advertising]] filed a complaint against Roblox with the [[Federal Trade Commission]] for [[false advertising]], mainly failing to disclose when advertising is present, such as with [[advergame]]s and [[brand ambassador]]s.<ref name="Polygon ad" /> As a response, Roblox hid advertisements from users under the age of 13 starting in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Jeffrey |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Roblox will hide ads for users 13 and under |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-will-hide-ads-for-users-13-and-under |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525165303/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-will-hide-ads-for-users-13-and-under |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref> However, these restrictions did not apply to advergames, leading to further criticism by Truth in Advertising and children's digital rights organization 5Rights.<ref name="TheObserverRoblox" /> [[Investigative journalism]] [[YouTube]] channel ''[[People Make Games]]'' accused the platform of "[[Exploitation of labour|exploiting]]" younger game developers by promising them large amounts of money from creating games, only to apply high revenue cuts and leaving creators with little to no income. They likened the platform's business model to a [[company scrip]].<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> After Roblox requested the channel to take down the video, ''People Make Games'' released several more accusations towards Roblox, focused on an alleged lack of oversight of developers and a method for people to address developer abuse, leading to child developers being exploited for labor on third-party platform's. They also criticized the platform's virtual economy, comparing the limited collectibles market to [[gambling]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nightangale |first=Ed |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Roblox accused of being an unsafe environment for children |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-14-roblox-accused-of-being-unsafe-environment-for-children |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217232341/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-14-roblox-accused-of-being-unsafe-environment-for-children |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Roblox faces new allegations of being unsafe for children |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/roblox-faces-new-allegations-of-being-unsafe-for-children/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217232336/https://www.pcgamer.com/roblox-faces-new-allegations-of-being-unsafe-for-children/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |website=[[PC Gamer]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Roblox criticized for lack of safeguards for kids, stock-market-like collectibles |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-12-13-roblox-criticized-for-lack-of-safeguards-for-children-stock-market-like-collectibles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217234808/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-12-13-roblox-criticized-for-lack-of-safeguards-for-children-stock-market-like-collectibles |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2021 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref> It has also been accused by [[Hindenburg Research]] of artificially inflating its monthly active player count.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2024-10-09 |title=Roblox refutes allegations of inflating metrics for investors and failing to protect minors |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-refutes-allegations-of-inflating-metrics-for-investors-and-failing-to-protect-minors |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |language=en}}</ref>
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=== Restrictions by country ===
[[File:Map of Roblox restrictions by country.svg|thumb|Roblox restrictions by country]]
Roblox is blocked or [[Video game censorship|banned]] in several countries: [[China]], [[Jordan]], [[Kuwait]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amir |first=Khitam Al |date=2025-08-21 |title=Roblox blocked in Kuwait over child safety and content concerns |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/roblox-blocked-in-kuwait-over-child-safety-and-content-concerns-1.500240710 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref> [[North Korea]], [[Oman]],<ref name=":33" /> [[Qatar]],<ref name=":34">{{Cite web |last=Online |first=The Peninsula |date=2025-08-13 |title=Popular game platform Roblox inaccessible in Qatar |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2025/popular-game-platform-roblox-inaccessible-in-qatar |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=thepeninsulaqatar.com |language=en}}</ref>, and [[Turkey]]
=== Revenue ===
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