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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 ===
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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 ===
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=== Restrictions by country ===
{{See also|Child safety on Roblox#Legal actions and regulation}}
[[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]],<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last=Cichacki |first=Shaun |date=2024-08-13 |title=Why Turkey Banned Roblox, Explained |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/turkey-bans-roblox-for-the-protection-of-our-children/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919134749/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/turkey-bans-roblox-for-the-protection-of-our-children/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, it was banned in the [[United Arab Emirates]] from 2018 to 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cherian |first=Dona |date=2021-03-16 |title=Fact check: Is Roblox unbanned in UAE? |url=https://gulfnews.com/technology/fact-check-is-roblox-unbanned-in-uae-1.1615811567142 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720195428/https://gulfnews.com/technology/fact-check-is-roblox-unbanned-in-uae-1.1615811567142 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref> and [[Guatemala]] issued a warning about the platform to parents in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larios |first=Brenda |date=2021-01-08 |title=Gobierno de Guatemala alerta a padres de familia por videojuego Roblox |website=Agencia Guatemalteca de Noticias |url=https://agn.gt/gobierno-de-guatemala-alerta-a-padres-de-familia-por-videojuego-roblox/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |language=es}}</ref> The reasons for these bans differ: Turkey cited content that could promote gambling and [[child sexual abuse]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Chapple |first=Craig |date=2024-08-07 |title=Turkey blocks access to Roblox |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/turkey-blocks-access-to-roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809012647/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/turkey-blocks-access-to-roblox/ |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.pocketgamer.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":31" /><ref>{{cite news |date=7 August 2024 |title=Popüler oyun platformu Roblox 'çocuk istismarı' gerekçesiyle engellendi |trans-title=Popular gaming platform Roblox blocked for 'child abuse' |url=https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/c0l8w6gr7zzo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809061624/https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/c0l8w6gr7zzo |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=9 August 2024 |publisher=BBC |language=tr}}</ref> while Qatar referenced child safety concerns.<ref name=":34" /> Additionally, the Netherlands and Belgium have restricted certain games on the platform due to their regulations on in-game "[[Loot box|lootboxes]]", which give out items based on random or unknown chances, to reduce children's exposure to gambling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Y. Xiao |first=Leon |date=2023-12-05 |title=Loot box State of Play 2023: A global update on regulation |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/loot-box-state-of-play-2023-a-global-update-on-regulation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116003140/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/loot-box-state-of-play-2023-a-global-update-on-regulation |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported that Roblox was under investigation by the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=February 7, 2025 |title=SEC Says Game Service Roblox Part of 'Active Investigation' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-07/sec-confirms-game-service-roblox-part-of-active-investigation |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 11, 2025 |work=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2025-02-11 |title='Roblox' is being investigated by the US government |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/roblox-is-being-investigated-by-the-us-government-3836974 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> In August 2025, Indonesia requested that Roblox strengthen its chat filters to remove harmful content and enhance child safety,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andriyanto |first1=Heru |title=Indonesia Pressures Roblox to Rein In Chat Features, Remove Harmful Content for Child Safety |url=https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/indonesia-pressures-roblox-to-rein-in-chat-features-remove-harmful-content-for-child-safety |website=[[Jakarta Globe]] |access-date=17 August 2025 |date=15 August 2025}}</ref> warning that failure to comply could result in a ban.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Llewellyn |first1=Aisyah |title=Indonesia considers Roblox ban over child safety concerns, ‘immoral’ content |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321476/indonesia-considers-roblox-ban-over-child-safety-concerns-immoral-content |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date=17 August 2025 |date=12 August 2025}}</ref> Authorities in the city of [[Surabaya]] also imposed local bans on Roblox in primary and secondary schools, citing multiple incidents where sexual predators had harassed minors through the platform, following requests from the local Ministry of Education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surabaya Bans Roblox for Students Over Harmful Content |url=https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/surabaya-bans-roblox-for-students-over-harmful-content |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Jakarta Globe}}</ref> In addition, members of Bahrain's parliament also began drafting a bill to ban Roblox in the country following concerns about child safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shakkour |first=Sally |title=Following Qatar, Bahrain moves to ban Roblox |url=https://www.albawaba.com/business/following-qatar-bahrain-moves-ban-roblox-1610783 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Al Bawaba |language=en}}</ref>
In 2025, the Committee for Children's Rights Protection of the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan<ref>{{Cite web |last=Treshkin |first=Artem |date=2025 |title=Игра Roblox и педофилы: к казахстанским родителям обратились с предупреждением |url=https://regtv.kz/2025/08/25/ent-igra-roblox-i-pedofily-k-kazahstanskim-roditeliam-obratilis-s-predyprejdeniem.html |website=Регистр ТВ Казахстан |language=ru}}</ref> issued a statement alerting parents to the presence of pedophiles on the platform. Subsequently, the General Directorate of Internal Affairs of the City of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan issued a statement recommending that parents restrict minors' access to the platform following the company's failure to protect underage users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Татьяна |date=2025-08-28 |title=ГУВД Бишкека призывает родителей не разрешать детям играть в Roblox - Вести.kg - Новости Кыргызстана |url=https://vesti.kg/obshchestvo/item/142681-guvd-bishkeka-prosit-roditelej-ne-davat-detyam-igrat-v-roblox.html |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=vesti.kg |language=ru-ru}}</ref>
=== Revenue ===
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[[Category:Video games with user-generated gameplay content]]
[[Category:Virtual world communities]]
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