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{{Short description|Multiplayer game creation platform}}
{{Distinguish|Robox}}
{{
{{pp-
{{pp-move}}
{{Use
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| italic title =
|
| caption = Logo used since 2022
| image = Roblox Logo 2022.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| developer = [[Roblox Corporation]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 1, 2006}}|{{Unbulleted list
|'''Windows'''|September 1, 2006
|'''iOS'''|December 11, 2012
|'''Android'''|July 16, 2014
|'''Xbox One'''|November 20, 2015
|'''Meta Quest 2''', '''Quest Pro'''|September 2023
|'''PS4'''|October 10, 2023
}}}}
| genre = [[Game creation system]], [[massively multiplayer online game]]
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Windows]]|[[macOS]]|[[iOS]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Meta Quest 2]]|[[Meta Quest Pro]]|[[PlayStation 4]]}}
| designer = [[David Baszucki]]<br />Erik Cassel
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| publisher = Roblox Corporation
}}
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 ==
Roblox is an [[online game]] [[Computing platform|platform]] and [[game creation system]] built around [[user-generated content]] and games,<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Yaden |first=Joseph |date=2020-05-03 |title=What is Roblox? |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/what-is-roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530125358/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/what-is-roblox/ |archive-date=May 30, 2020 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Sherwood |date=July 12, 2019 |title=How Roblox avoided the gaming graveyard and grew into a $2.5B company |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/11/how-roblox-avoided-the-gaming-graveyard-and-grew-into-a-2-5b-company/ |access-date=August 28, 2020 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815205813/https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/11/how-roblox-avoided-the-gaming-graveyard-and-grew-into-a-2-5b-company/ |url-status=live }}</ref> officially referred to as "experiences".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=May 14, 2021 |title=Apple said Roblox developers don't make games, and now Roblox agrees |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436014/apple-roblox-epic-fortnite-trial-what-is-game-name-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903170009/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436014/apple-roblox-epic-fortnite-trial-what-is-game-name-change |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Games can be created by any user through the platform's game engine, Roblox Studio,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |date=September 29, 2019 |title=All you need to know about Roblox |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/28/roblox-guide-children-gaming-platform-developer-minecraft-fortnite |access-date=April 21, 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420184132/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/28/roblox-guide-children-gaming-platform-developer-minecraft-fortnite |url-status=live }}</ref> and then shared to and played by other players.<ref name=":17" /> The [[List of Roblox games|games featured on Roblox]] vary in [[Video game genre|genre]], from [[role-playing games]] to ones centered around escaping prison, among others.<ref name="takahashi">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Roblox's 10 biggest games of all time — each with more than a billion plays |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/09/robloxs-10-biggest-games-of-all-time-each-with-more-than-a-billion-plays/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829234431/https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/09/robloxs-10-biggest-games-of-all-time-each-with-more-than-a-billion-plays/ |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> The platform is made to appeal to a family-friendly audience, and has been described as a [[massively multiplayer online game]] (MMO).<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Karen |date=2014-02-13 |title=MMO Family: Winter fun and cool cash in Roblox |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-02-12-mmo-family-winter-fun-and-cool-cash-in-roblox.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522025049/https://www.engadget.com/2014-02-12-mmo-family-winter-fun-and-cool-cash-in-roblox.html |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=[[Engadget]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
While Roblox is [[free-to-play]], it features a virtual currency known as "Robux" that can be purchased with real-world money. Robux can be used to purchase virtual items that the player can use on their virtual character (or "[[Glossary of video game terms#avatar|avatar]]") on the platform, or access experiences that require payment.<ref name=":17" /> As with games, avatar items on Roblox are mainly user-generated,<ref name="NYTimes">{{Cite news |last=Browning |first=Kellen |date=August 16, 2020 |title=You May Not Know This Pandemic Winner, but Your Tween Probably Does |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/technology/roblox-tweens-videogame-coronavirus.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816195005/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/technology/roblox-tweens-videogame-coronavirus.html |archive-date=August 16, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> though most items on the platform were made by Roblox themselves for most of the platform's history.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |last1=givenothingback |last2=Captain_Rando |date=August 16, 2019 |title=Paving the Road to a User-Generated Catalog |url=https://blog.roblox.com/2019/08/paving-road-user-generated-catalog/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115092828/http://blog.roblox.com/2019/08/paving-road-user-generated-catalog/ |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=June 4, 2020 |website=Roblox Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Through the platform's "Developer Exchange" program, creators on the platform are able to exchange their earned Robux to real-world money.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Astle |first=Aaron |date=2024-09-09 |title=Roblox developers to earn real currency on PC later this year |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/roblox-developers-to-earn-real-currency-on-pc-later-this-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909200015/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/roblox-developers-to-earn-real-currency-on-pc-later-this-year/ |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[Pocket Gamer|PocketGamer.biz]] |language=en}}</ref> In addition, Roblox features a monthly service called "Roblox Premium", with its subscribers gaining access to more features on the platform and a monthly stipend of Robux.<ref name=":17" />
=== Virtual economy ===
[[File:Robux 2019 Logo gold.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|Logo of the virtual currency "Robux"]]Roblox features a large [[virtual economy]] centered around Robux, its virtual currency.<ref name=":19">{{cite news |last1=Vanian |first1=Jonathan |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Roblox is letting game creators sell 3D virtual goods as it looks for ways to boost revenue |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/08/roblox-is-letting-game-creators-sell-3d-goods-looks-to-boost-revenue.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129164330/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/08/roblox-is-letting-game-creators-sell-3d-goods-looks-to-boost-revenue.html |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[CNBC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coulter |first=Natalie |date=2024-07-01 |title=The growing influence of virtual gaming platforms like Roblox on how we interact online |url=https://theconversation.com/the-growing-influence-of-virtual-gaming-platforms-like-roblox-on-how-we-interact-online-232461 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106164752/https://theconversation.com/the-growing-influence-of-virtual-gaming-platforms-like-roblox-on-how-we-interact-online-232461 |url-status=live }}</ref> The currency allows users to buy, sell and create virtual items.<ref name="NYTimes" /> Roblox also has a service called "Roblox Premium", a monthly subscription that gives users monthly stipends of Robux (with the amount depending on the selected subscription tier), discounts when purchasing items, more Robux being granted per purchase, and access to the item trading system.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Haskins |first=Heath |date=2021-10-29 |title=Roblox 101: How to Pick a Roblox Premium Plan |url=https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/roblox-101-how-to-pick-a-roblox-premium-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210113927/https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/roblox-101-how-to-pick-a-roblox-premium-plan |archive-date=December 10, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[PCMag]] |language=en}}</ref>
Similarly to games, many items on Roblox are user-generated.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":19" /> While only Roblox developers were able to create avatar items early on,<ref name=":18" /> the capabilities of user-generated content has expanded greatly over time.<ref name=":20">{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Roblox is about to let users sell custom-made avatar bodies and heads |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/16/23834790/roblox-ugc-sell-avatar-bodies-heads |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129164330/https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/16/23834790/roblox-ugc-sell-avatar-bodies-heads |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[The Verge]] |language=en}}</ref> Since 2019, select users have gained the ability to publish avatar accessories, animations,<ref name=":18" /> bundles and more.<ref name=":19" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fragen |first1=Jordan |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Roblox adds avatar bodies and heads to UGC marketplace |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ugc-program-avatar-body-head-monetization/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129164330/https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ugc-program-avatar-body-head-monetization/ |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref><ref name=":20" /> Some items on Roblox have a "limited" status, with only a few being available and the price of the item based on supply and demand rather than a fixed price. These items function similarly to [[non-fungible token]]s. The prices of limited items range, with the most valuable ones costing millions of Robux.<ref name=":21">{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Roblox creators can now make and sell limited-run avatar gear |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/14/23683459/roblox-limiteds-creators-make-sell-avatar-gear-user-generated-content-ugc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129164330/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/14/23683459/roblox-limiteds-creators-make-sell-avatar-gear-user-generated-content-ugc |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[The Verge]] |language=en}}</ref> After the original supply of that item runs out, players can resell them for a higher price. Additionally, users with an active Roblox Premium subscription are able to trade limiteds amongst each other.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Meers |first=Whitney |date=2022-08-18 |title=New Roblox trading feature makes it easier to exchange items |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/trading-feature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813162430/https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/trading-feature |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Limited items made by the community cannot be traded and this feature is restricted to official items.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 6, 2023 |title=Roblox UGC limiteds are now available in the marketplace |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/roblox/ugc-limiteds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716014241/https://www.pockettactics.com/roblox/ugc-limiteds |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |access-date=July 16, 2023 |work=[[Pocket Tactics]]}}</ref>
Developers on the platform are able to create purchasable content through one-time purchases.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Marcus |last2=Mavoa |first2=Jane |date=March 17, 2021 |title=Why is kids' video game Roblox worth $38 billion and what do parents need to know? |url=https://theconversation.com/why-is-kids-video-game-roblox-worth-38-billion-and-what-do-parents-need-to-know-157133 |access-date=March 28, 2021 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419052345/https://theconversation.com/why-is-kids-video-game-roblox-worth-38-billion-and-what-do-parents-need-to-know-157133 |url-status=live }}</ref> Through the Roblox "Developer Exchange" program, users are able to exchange their earned Robux for real-world money,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2014-05-01 |title=18 year olds are making $10K a month from user-generated games in Roblox |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/18-year-olds-make-10k-a-month-from-user-generated-games-in-roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202002538/https://venturebeat.com/games/18-year-olds-make-10k-a-month-from-user-generated-games-in-roblox/ |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> as long as they have at least 30,000 Robux.<ref name=":24" /> In 2020, Roblox reported that roughly 345,000 game developers on the platform earned money through the program.<ref name="NYTimes" /><ref name="Study" /> Avatar item creators have also been able to generate profit with the platform, with some individuals designing items as a full-time job. It has been reported that the highest-earning creators have earned over $100,000 a year from item sales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Morgan |date=2024-05-30 |title=22-year-old turned Roblox side hustle into a business bringing in over $100,000 a year |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/30/22-year-old-makes-over-100000-a-year-on-roblox-without-a-college-degree.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
A sizeable amount of [[scams]] are on Roblox, largely revolving around messages promoting websites and games that are designed to appear to give out free Robux.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Han |first=Nydia |date=June 15, 2018 |title=Action News Troubleshooters: Spotting video game scams |url=https://6abc.com/video-games-roblox-robux-fortnight/3603994/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127235823/https://6abc.com/video-games-roblox-robux-fortnight/3603994/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2020 |work=[[WPVI-TV]]}}</ref> Furthermore, there are people in the community known as "beamers" who [[Cybercrime|compromise]] Roblox accounts to steal and sell their items on the platform's [[black markets]]. They employ various techniques, such as creating [[phishing]] websites or create ploys in order to acquire a victim's [[HTTP cookie#Cookie theft and session hijacking|session token]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=February 14, 2022 |title=A new report on Roblox reveals how hackers and scammers are continuing to rip off kids |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-report-on-roblox-reveals-how-hackers-and-scammers-are-continuing-to-rip-off-kids/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706072658/https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-report-on-roblox-reveals-how-hackers-and-scammers-are-continuing-to-rip-off-kids/ |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=July 10, 2023 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref> Once they gain access to the victim's account, these "beamers" steal and subsequently sell valuable limited items owned by the victims for real-world currency or cryptocurrency through marketplace sites or [[Discord]] chat rooms. The slang term "beaming" is commonly used to describe this entire process on Roblox. Roblox does offer hacking victims a "rollback" for their items, although this is only offered once per account.<ref name="vice">{{Cite news |last=Cox |first=Joseph |date=February 14, 2022 |title=How Roblox 'Beamers' Get Rich Stealing from Children |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/roblox-beaming-hackers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531094709/https://www.vice.com/en/article/88gd4a/roblox-beaming-hackers |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=July 10, 2023 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== 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" />
As of 2020, Roblox reported that more than 2 million developers used Roblox Studio to create more than 20 million games per year. They also reported that a majority of developers were minors.<ref name="NYTimes" /><ref name="Study">{{Cite web |last1=Douthwaite |first1=Andrew |last2=Warneford |first2=Matthew |last3=Pierce |first3=Matt |year=2020 |title=Dubit Guide to Roblox for Brands |url=https://docsend.com/view/yytafca42a83pbgq |access-date=July 10, 2020 |website=DocSend |publisher=[[Dubit Limited]] |page=5 |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711070429/https://docsend.com/view/yytafca42a83pbgq |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Games ===
{{See also|List of Roblox games}}
Due to its status as a user-created games platform, Roblox has a variety of popular games; as of July 2020, at least 20 games had been played more than one billion times, and at least 5,000 have been played more than one million times.<ref name=":29">{{Cite news |date=August 21, 2020 |title=Gamers are logging millions of hours a day on Roblox |url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/08/21/gamers-are-logging-millions-of-hours-a-day-on-roblox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328183921/https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/08/21/gamers-are-logging-millions-of-hours-a-day-on-roblox |archive-date=March 28, 2021 |access-date=August 22, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Economist]]}}</ref> The highest concurrent player count on a single Roblox game was with ''[[Grow a Garden]]'', which achieved over 16 million concurrent players in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Press-Reynolds |first=Kieran |date=2025-06-17 |title=Roblox’s Grow a Garden Surpasses Fortnite With 16.4 Million Players |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/arts/grow-garden-roblox-record.html |access-date=2025-06-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Games on Roblox greatly range in genre,<ref name="takahashi" /> and the content of these games effects its [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|age rating]].<ref name=":38" /> These ratings are broken into different age groups: everyone, and players over the age of 9, 13, or 17.<ref name=":2" /> Games that are restricted to players over the age of 17 require [[ID verification service|ID verification]] to access.<ref name=":2" />
''[[TechCrunch]]'' noted in March 2021 that Roblox games are largely distinct from established traditions in free-to-play video games, finding that successful Roblox games were geared towards immediate satisfaction, and finding that the addition of [[Tutorial (video games)|tutorials]] significantly decreased player engagement, contrary to established wisdom about free-to-play games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferencz |first=Joe |date=March 27, 2021 |title=5 mistakes creators make building new games on Roblox |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/26/5-mistakes-creators-make-building-new-games-on-roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328104324/https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/26/5-mistakes-creators-make-building-new-games-on-roblox/ |archive-date=March 28, 2021 |access-date=March 28, 2021 |website=[[TechCrunch]]}}</ref> Many companies have used Roblox to host [[advergames]] promoting their products.<ref name="Polygon ad">{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=April 22, 2022 |title=Roblox is 'exploiting' users with deceptive advertising, watchdog group says |url=https://www.polygon.com/23035640/roblox-ads-deceptive-ftc-complaint |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525171939/https://www.polygon.com/23035640/roblox-ads-deceptive-ftc-complaint |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McCracken |first=Harry |date=April 19, 2023 |title=Roblox grows up |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90878692/roblox-grows-up |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=[[Fast Company]] |publisher=Fast Company, Inc |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230424155637/https://www.fastcompany.com/90878692/roblox-grows-up |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TheObserverRoblox">{{cite web |last1=Bains |first1=Collum |date=July 13, 2024 |title='Advergames': how games platform Roblox became a corporate marketing playground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/13/advergames-how-games-platform-roblox-became-a-corporate-marketing-playground |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=[[The Observer]] }}</ref>
=== Communication ===
Roblox allows players to communicate with each other in a variety of ways, such as through in-game chat and direct messaging.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2024-11-18 |title=Roblox will restrict kids under 13 from chatting outside of games |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/18/24298330/roblox-child-safety-chat-parent-accounts |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Voice chat in online gaming|Voice chat]] is also usable for players over the age of 13 that have their age verified.<ref name=":25" /> Direct messaging is restricted to users over the age of 13, unless that player has received parental consent to use the feature.<ref name=":3" /> Messages that are sent on the platform are subject to a chat filtering system that automatically censors inappropriate language. To verify their age, users can either use an [[Identity document|ID]] or have a video of themselves analyzed by age estimation software.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2025-07-17 |title=Roblox will require a facial scan or government ID to have unfiltered chats |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/708670/roblox-trusted-connections-age-estimation-privacy |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> Players can also join 'communities' (formerly known as Groups), where users can send messages in an [[internet forum]]-like environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2024-09-06 |title=Roblox Developer's Conference 2024: Everything Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-developers-conference-2024-everything-announced |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
Players are able to add other users as friends (officially known as "Connections"). An additional 'tier' of this system, known as "Trusted Connections", allows verified users over the age of 13 to send unfiltered chat messages and personal information to each other. If one of the users is over the age of 18 while the other user is between 13 to 17, then both parties must prove that they know each other in real life. This is done through either mutual QR code scanning, or importing their phone contacts.<ref name=":32" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2025-07-17 |title=Roblox Rebrands ‘Friends’ Feature as Gaming Platform Launches New Age-Estimation Teen Safety Tools |url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/roblox-friends-age-estimation-teen-safety-tools-1236463348/ |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
==
=== 2004–2009: Creation and early history ===
[[File:TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2018 - day 1 (30633298878).jpg|left|thumb|Roblox co-founder David Baszucki in 2018]]
Roblox was created in 2004 by co-founders and software engineers [[David Baszucki]] and Erik Cassel. Prior to the creation of the platform, both Baszucki and Cassel worked for Knowledge Revolution, a company that specialized in creating educational and physics simulation software. After Knowledge Revolution was acquired by [[MSC Software]], the two left the company and Baszucki began investing in earlier social media sites like [[Friendster]]. Around this time, Baszucki came up with the idea of a physics sandbox with creation tools and a social networking aspect. Baszucki and Cassel began development on Roblox shortly afterwards, modeled after Baszucki's vision, and also created the [[Roblox Corporation]]. Early in its development, Roblox was known as Dynablocks. It was determined early on in development that the two would design Roblox to rely entirely on user-generated content, only providing the tools necessary for people to develop games, as well as the server hosting later in development.<ref name=":12" />
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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| footer = Evolution of the Roblox logo<ref name="Logo2022">{{Cite news |last=Meers |first=Whitney |date=August 30, 2022 |title=New Roblox logo and tagline show the company is growing up |work=PCGamesN |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/new-roblox-logo |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831090852/https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/new-roblox-logo |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Roblox's growth continued throughout 2010 and the following years. By August 2011, Roblox had about 6.8 million active users monthly, becoming the second-most popular kids entertainment site. Its profits also continued to increase, with the platform's profit that year up 75% from 2010;<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2011-08-22 |title=18-year-old's games get 10M plays in Roblox game world |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/18-year-olds-games-get-10m-plays-in-roblox-game-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203165921/https://venturebeat.com/games/18-year-olds-games-get-10m-plays-in-roblox-game-world/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> in June 2011, the company held a fundraiser that raised over $4 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2011-06-14 |title=Roblox raises $4M for kids virtual world |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-raises-4m-for-kids-virtual-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131181241/https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-raises-4m-for-kids-virtual-world/ |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> By January 2014, the platform's monthly player count had increased 10 to 12 million monthly players, although a majority of those players did not have registered accounts and instead played as "guests".<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Eric |date=2014-01-28 |title=Roblox Wants to Be a Gateway Drug for Indie Game Development |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/1/28/11622786/roblox-wants-to-be-a-gateway-drug-for-indie-game-development |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206022511/https://www.vox.com/2014/1/28/11622786/roblox-wants-to-be-a-gateway-drug-for-indie-game-development |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
By this point in the platform's history, several games had been played million of times. One of the most successful creators on the platform at the time was Luke Weber, known on Roblox as "Stickmasterluke", who had a following of over ten million plays across all of his games combined.<ref name=":27" /> In August 2011, the first in-person convention centered around Roblox, known as the Roblox Rally, was held in San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Kevin |date=2011-08-04 |title=Kid Creates Games in ROBLOX, Gets Over 10 Million Followers |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/ROBLOX-MMOG-PC-Gaming-Sandbox-stickmasterluke,13172.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Tom's Hardware |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918205932/https://www.tomshardware.com/news/ROBLOX-MMOG-PC-Gaming-Sandbox-stickmasterluke,13172.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was attended by over 1,000 people.<ref name=":27" /> In 2013, the platform's co-founder Cassel died from cancer.<ref name=":12" />
Throughout 2012, versions of Roblox for mobile devices were developed. By May, they had already released a stripped-down version of the platform for [[iOS]] that only included its social features, but did not allow users to play games on it. A version of the game for [[macOS]] was also released by that point. On December 11 of that year, a full version of Roblox for iOS was released that allowed users to play games,<ref name="iOSR">{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=December 12, 2012 |title=Block-builder Roblox goes mobile in time for the holidays |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/12/12/roblox-mobile-ipad-iphone-now/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129233810/https://venturebeat.com/2012/12/12/roblox-mobile-ipad-iphone-now/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=November 29, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> although users were not able to use Roblox Studio. After completing development on the iOS version, Roblox began looking into releasing a version for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices, as well as video game consoles.<ref name=":28">{{Cite magazine |last=Sims |first=Tony |title=Interview With David Baszucki, Founder & CEO of Roblox |url=https://www.wired.com/2013/02/roblox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081543/https://www.wired.com/2013/02/roblox/ |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=2025-02-05 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The version for Android was released on July 16, 2014.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=ROBLOX |title=ROBLOX Unveils Android Version of Award Winning Game Creation Platform |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roblox-unveils-android-version-of-award-winning-game-creation-platform-267332841.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=[[PR Newswire]] |language=en |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004081637/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roblox-unveils-android-version-of-award-winning-game-creation-platform-267332841.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A version of Roblox for [[Xbox One]] was announced in September 2015 and released on November 20.<ref name="XboxOneRelease">{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=September 24, 2015 |title=Roblox comes to Xbox One, joins Minecraft in the growing player-made content space on consoles |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/09/24/roblox-comes-to-xbox-one/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130001239/https://venturebeat.com/2015/09/24/roblox-comes-to-xbox-one/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> This version initially only released with selection of 15 games chosen by Roblox staff, due to concerns regarding [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] standards. A system that allowed users to publish their games on the platform was later released, based on an approval process.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=January 27, 2016 |title=Roblox launches on Xbox One with 15 player-created games – watch us play them |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/27/roblox-launches-on-xbox-one-with-15-player-created-games-watch-us-play-them/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130001719/https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/27/roblox-launches-on-xbox-one-with-15-player-created-games-watch-us-play-them/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref>
From 2013 to 2014, Roblox released several updates to their development tools, adding new features.<ref name=":26" /> Among these new features was the Developer Exchange program,<ref name=":26" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=June 6, 2014 |title=Roblox is gaming's quiet giant – and it's only getting bigger |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/06/06/roblox-is-gamings-quiet-giant-and-its-only-getting-bigger/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129235317/https://venturebeat.com/2014/06/06/roblox-is-gamings-quiet-giant-and-its-only-getting-bigger/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref> which initially only allowed payouts of up to $500.<ref name=":13" /> Other updates released around this time included adding support for character animations, Roblox Studio plugins, and Developer Stats, a feature that shows developers various statistics about their games, such as how many players were playing their game and for how long.<ref name=":26" /> In May 2015, Roblox released an update that adjusted its physics engine to be more smooth and realistic, rather than being oriented around blocks. This also came with a feature called Smooth Terrain, which increased the graphic fidelity of in-game terrain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=June 1, 2015 |title=Roblox user-generated world moves from blocky terrain to smooth 3D |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/06/01/roblox-user-generated-world-moves-from-blocky-to-smooth-3d-terrain/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129235824/https://venturebeat.com/2015/06/01/roblox-user-generated-world-moves-from-blocky-to-smooth-3d-terrain/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref>
=== 2016–2020: Accelerated growth and COVID-19 ===
In the latter half of the 2010s, Roblox began to rapidly grow in popularity. By December 2016, the platform had about 30 million monthly active users, a number that had increased to 90 million by April 2019.<ref name=":12" /> The platform's growth was further [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the video game industry|accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic]] beginning in 2020, where [[COVID-19 lockdowns|lockdowns]] led tens of millions of children to use Roblox as a means of communication.<ref name=":14">{{Cite magazine |last=Hetfield |first=Malindy |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Roblox is now the game of choice for over half of all US kids |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/au/roblox-is-now-the-game-of-choice-for-over-half-of-all-us-kids/ |access-date=July 23, 2020 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722175647/https://www.pcgamer.com/au/roblox-is-now-the-game-of-choice-for-over-half-of-all-us-kids/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Levy">{{Cite news |last=Levy |first=Ari |date=April 8, 2020 |title=While parents Zoom, their kids are flocking to an app called Roblox to hang out and play 3D games |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/08/roblox-is-seeing-a-surge-during-coronavirus-shelter-in-place.html |access-date=June 27, 2020 |work=[[CNBC]] |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409002049/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/08/roblox-is-seeing-a-surge-during-coronavirus-shelter-in-place.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Between March and April, Roblox reported having over 120 million monthly active players, which by that point the company said included over half of all kids in the United States that were under the age of 16.<ref name=":14" /> Additionally, the average number of daily active players in 2020 had increased by 85% compared to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2021-07-07 |title=Roblox, explained |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/7/22457264/roblox-explainer-game-app-faq |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709021824/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/7/22457264/roblox-explainer-game-app-faq |url-status=live }}</ref> By this point, over 20 games had been played more than one billion times, and at least 5,000 had been played more than one million times.<ref name=":29" /> The most popular game on the platform around this time was the role-playing game ''[[Adopt Me!]]'', which had been played over 10 billion times by July 2020 and had set a platform record of over 1.6 million users on at once.<ref name=":30">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2020-07-28 |title=Roblox expects to pay $250 million to its mostly young-adult developers this year |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/roblox-expects-to-pay-250-million-to-its-mostly-teen-developers-this-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126195633/https://venturebeat.com/business/roblox-expects-to-pay-250-million-to-its-mostly-teen-developers-this-year/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
In light of the platform's newfound popularity and use during lockdowns, Roblox introduced a new "Party Place" system, which were specific spaces that players could use to arrange meetups and events, such as [[virtual concert]]s.<ref name=":14" /> Around this time, Roblox began further working towards a vision that Baszucki described as a 30-year long plan where in which users have a "fully-fledged digital identity" in an environment such as Roblox.<ref name=":12" /> In July 2020, Baszucki formally announced plans and goals for Roblox developers and users to build a "[[metaverse]]", a concept that refers to several interconnected virtual worlds. As part of these plans, several other features were announced that would allow creators more freedom in their works, hoping to make them more "immersive" and making collaboration between developers easier. Features that were introduced around this time included Developer Events, a service that would allow creators to create and manage in-game events, and allow users to easily discover these events. He also announced a partnership between Roblox and record label [[Monstercat]], giving users and creators the ability to use their catalog in games.<ref name=":30" /> In August 2019, Roblox began allowing select users to upload their own accessories, a service that was later expanded to include various other types of accessories.<ref name=":18" />
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 memberships.<ref name=":23" />
=== 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>
Roblox's business model throughout this time has continued to be based around creating a metaverse, and attempting to increase the platform's appeal.<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2021-01-27 |title=Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki believes users will create the metaverse |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-ceo-dave-baszucki-believes-users-will-create-the-metaverse/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wakefield |first=Jane |date=2021-03-10 |title=Roblox: How the children's game became a $30bn bet on the Metaverse |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56345586 |access-date=2025-02-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=2021-10-04 |title=What is the metaverse, and do I have to care? |url=https://www.theverge.com/22701104/metaverse-explained-fortnite-roblox-facebook-horizon |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119112805/https://www.theverge.com/22701104/metaverse-explained-fortnite-roblox-facebook-horizon |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Baszucki further detailed the companies vision for Roblox to become a metaverse, highlighting "eight different characteristics" that the platform would strive to accommodate for. He also discussed the ''[[Ready Player One]]'' and ''[[Ready Player Two]]'' books as being inspirations for the company's ideas.<ref name=":37" /> Features that were added to Roblox during this time have included [[Voice chat in online gaming|voice chat]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2021-09-03 |title=Roblox is getting voice chat, starting first with 'Spatial Voice' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/2/22654884/roblox-voice-chat-spatial-moderation-discord |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en-US}}</ref> for users over the age of 13 that had their age [[ID verification service|verified through ID]].<ref name=":25">{{Cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=November 16, 2021 |title=Roblox voice chat checks ID to keep kids safe, but slurs and sex sounds slip through |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/11/16/roblox-voice-chat-id-requirement-slurs/ |access-date=February 6, 2025 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Voice chat was then followed by facial animations based on the real-world motion tracking of the players face, which was announced in 2022<ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2022-09-09 |title=Roblox is rolling out voice chat, high-fidelity avatars, and age recommendations |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-is-rolling-out-voice-chat-high-fidelity-avatars-and-age-recommendations/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and released in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2023-08-04 |title=Roblox's new face tracking feature is for the memes |url=https://www.polygon.com/23820632/roblox-new-face-tracking-memes-update-tiktok |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2024, two [[generative artificial intelligence]] tools that were added to Roblox Studio in an effort to speed up content creation. These tools were for automatic avatar customization and texture generation, the former being able to automatically convert three-dimensional body meshes into live-animated avatars and the latter creating textures of objects based on a [[text-to-image model]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Jeffrey |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Roblox unveils new AI-powered creation tools |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-unveils-new-ai-powered-creation-tools-news-in-brief |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320134636/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/roblox-unveils-new-ai-powered-creation-tools-news-in-brief |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Irwin |first=Kate |date=March 18, 2024 |title=Roblox Launches New Generative AI Texture and Avatar Tools for Creators |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/ai/151470/roblox-launches-new-generative-ai-texture-and-avatar-tools-for-creators |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319070357/https://uk.pcmag.com/ai/151470/roblox-launches-new-generative-ai-texture-and-avatar-tools-for-creators |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=[[PCMag]]}}</ref>
Also announced in 2022 were [[Video game content rating system|age ratings]] for games,<ref name=":38" /> a system created by the company to increase the platform's appeal to the [[young adult]] audience, which was the fastest growing demographic on Roblox, by allowing for more mature experiences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Roblox wants to advertise to gamers ages 13 and up in the metaverse |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/09/09/roblox-ads-metaverse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/09/09/roblox-ads-metaverse/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Initially, the highest rating that games could be given was 13+,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2023-06-21 |title=Roblox is starting to allow 17+ rated experiences with 'violence, blood or crude humour' |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/roblox-is-starting-to-allow-17-rated-experiences-with-violence-blood-or-crude-humour/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> although in June 2023, a 17+ rating was introduced that would permit games to feature more [[graphic violence]], romantic themes and alcohol usage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Alex |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Roblox will allow exclusive experiences for people 17 and over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767154/roblox-adult-themes-graphic-content-age-limit-17-experiences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621051553/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767154/roblox-adult-themes-graphic-content-age-limit-17-experiences |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref> Similarly, in November 2024, Roblox revamped its [[parental controls]] system, adding new safety measures for users under the age of 13, such as [[screen time]] and whether or not the child can exchange private messages with other users and allowing parents to create separate accounts to control their child's account.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Dhanika |date=November 18, 2024 |title=With new safety update, Roblox aims to boost protection for young gamers |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/11/18/nx-s1-5195476/roblox-update-child-safety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122142558/https://www.npr.org/2024/11/18/nx-s1-5195476/roblox-update-child-safety |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref name="PatrickSmith2024">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Patrick |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Roblox gives parents more power to protect the safety of young gamers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/roblox-parents-safety-controls-direct-messaging-rcna180585 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121131901/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/roblox-parents-safety-controls-direct-messaging-rcna180585 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kant |first1=Rishi |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Roblox tightens messaging rules for under-13 users amid abuse concerns |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/roblox-tightens-messaging-rules-under-13-users-amid-abuse-concerns-2024-11-18/ |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
==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://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/22/virtual-na-paggunita-sa-pista-ng-nazareno-nagsimula-na |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413064544/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/22/virtual-na-paggunita-sa-pista-ng-nazareno-nagsimula-na |archive-date=2023-04-13 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=[[ABS-CBN News]]}}</ref> Roblox's original sound effect for when a character died, often transcribed and titled as the "oof" sound effect, became a popular [[internet meme]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beckheling |first=Imogen |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Roblox will soon charge for the memey "oof" death noise |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/11/12/roblox-will-soon-charge-for-the-memey-oof-death-noise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114054814/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/11/12/roblox-will-soon-charge-for-the-memey-oof-death-noise/ |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2020 |work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref> The sound was originally produced for the video game ''[[Messiah (video game)|Messiah]]'' (2000), and it was replaced in 2022 after Roblox and the sound's producer entered a copyright dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Say goodbye to Roblox's iconic 'oof' sound effect |url=https://www.polygon.com/23280931/roblox-oof-sound-effect-replaced-copyright-licensing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727183555/https://www.polygon.com/23280931/roblox-oof-sound-effect-replaced-copyright-licensing |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Mollie |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Oof, the iconic Roblox death noise has been replaced with a way uglier sound |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/oof-the-iconic-roblox-death-noise-has-been-replaced-with-a-way-uglier-sound/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114162704/https://www.pcgamer.com/oof-the-iconic-roblox-death-noise-has-been-replaced-with-a-way-uglier-sound/ |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> In July 2025, the sound effect was officially uploaded to the creator hub.<ref>{{cite web |last=@Roblox |title=A comeback so good it hurts |url=https://twitter.com/Roblox/status/1946256338239300093 |website=Twitter |access-date=July 18, 2025}}</ref>
===Merchandise===
In January 2017, toy fabricator [[Jazwares]] began producing licensed toy minifigures based on the Roblox platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Roblox launches toys based on its user-generated games |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/10/roblox-launches-toys-based-on-its-user-generated-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130011005/https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/10/roblox-launches-toys-based-on-its-user-generated-games/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 7, 2017 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Allan |date=April 23, 2020 |title=The best Roblox toy |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-toys-the-best-roblox-toy-20200423-esndl5pf7rf7rh6o27h2o3zyui-story.html |access-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722071602/https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-toys-the-best-roblox-toy-20200423-esndl5pf7rf7rh6o27h2o3zyui-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The sets included a code that was used to redeem virtual items, as well as blind boxes that contained random minifigures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Roblox Gets Into The Toy Business |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/roblox-gets-into-the-toy-business/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112174831/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/roblox-gets-into-the-toy-business/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fennimore |first=Jack |date=August 2, 2017 |title=Roblox Toys Wave 2 Hits Store Shelves This August |url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/08/roblox-toys-wave-2-series-codes-figures-playsets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130011521/https://heavy.com/games/2017/08/roblox-toys-wave-2-series-codes-figures-playsets/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 7, 2017 |website=[[Heavy.com|Heavy]]}}</ref> In April 2021, [[Hasbro]] released Roblox-themed [[Nerf|Nerf blasters]] and a Roblox-themed version of ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tsai |first=Katie |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Roblox shares up after gaming platform partners with Hasbro for Monopoly and Nerf products |work=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/13/hasbro-partners-with-roblox-to-develop-monopoly-and-nerf-products.html |access-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413184454/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/13/hasbro-partners-with-roblox-to-develop-monopoly-and-nerf-products.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==
Roblox occasionally hosts real-life and virtual events. They have in the past hosted events such as BloxCon, which was a convention for ordinary players on the platform,<ref name="heavy">{{Cite web |last=Fennimore |first=Jack |date=July 12, 2017 |title=Roblox: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/07/roblox-youtube-free-download-corporation-baszucki-cassel-nerfmodder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129032712/https://heavy.com/games/2017/07/roblox-youtube-free-download-corporation-baszucki-cassel-nerfmodder/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=November 29, 2018 |website=[[Heavy.com|Heavy]]}}</ref> as well as virtual [[Egg hunt|Easter egg hunts]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Gayle |date=April 8, 2020 |title=Roblox Easter Egg Hunt 2020 will make being in isolation the best thing this Easter |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6716010/roblox-has-an-easter-egg-hunt-to-help-you-through-the-weekend/#gsc.tab=0 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408064035/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6716010/roblox-has-an-easter-egg-hunt-to-help-you-through-the-weekend/#gsc.tab=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Halloween events, "Giftsplosions" and also hosted an annual event called the "Bloxy Awards", an [[awards ceremony]] that also functions as a fundraiser. The 2020 edition of the Bloxy Awards, held virtually on the platform, drew 600,000 viewers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Roblox's in-game Bloxy Awards draw 600,000 spectators |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/03/23/robloxs-in-game-bloxy-awards-drawn-4-million-concurrent-players/ |access-date=July 21, 2020 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725045846/https://venturebeat.com/2020/03/23/robloxs-in-game-bloxy-awards-drawn-4-million-concurrent-players/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Roblox's continuing construction of a social, creative space |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-04-robloxs-continuing-construction-of-a-social-creative-space |access-date=September 18, 2020 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921042414/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-04-robloxs-continuing-construction-of-a-social-creative-space |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, "Bloxy Awards" got rebranded into the "Roblox Innovation Awards".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2022-07-14 |title=Roblox Innovation Awards will happen in-person on September 10 |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-innovation-awards-is-coming-in-person-on-september-10/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603070326/https://venturebeat.com/games/roblox-innovation-awards-is-coming-in-person-on-september-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Roblox Corporation annually hosts the Roblox Developers Conference, a three-day, invite-only event in [[San Francisco]] where top content creators on the site learn of upcoming changes to the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=August 13, 2019 |title=Roblox announces new game-creation tools and marketplace, $100M in 2019 developer revenue |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/12/roblox-announces-new-game-creation-tools-and-marketplace-100m-in-2019-developer-revenue/ |access-date=March 28, 2020 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830005045/https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/12/roblox-announces-new-game-creation-tools-and-marketplace-100m-in-2019-developer-revenue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company has also hosted similar events in cities like [[London]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapple |first=Craig |date=August 11, 2019 |title=$100m dev payouts, 1.2 billion hours of engagement a month: What we learned at the Roblox Developers Conference |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/71372/what-we-learned-at-the-roblox-developer-conference/ |access-date=April 23, 2020 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815113605/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/71372/what-we-learned-at-the-roblox-developer-conference/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Roblox occasionally engages in events to promote films, such as ones held to promote ''[[Wonder Woman 1984]]'' and ''[[Aquaman (film)|Aquaman]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Roblox teams with Warner Bros. and DC on Wonder Woman: The Themyscira Experience |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/25/roblox-teams-with-warner-bros-and-dc-on-wonder-woman-the-themyscira-experience/ |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627052954/https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/25/roblox-teams-with-warner-bros-and-dc-on-wonder-woman-the-themyscira-experience/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=December 21, 2018 |title=How Warner Bros. Uses a Video Game to Fuel Interest in Its Movies |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/roblox-warner-bros-movie-crossover-1203094353/ |access-date=June 26, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221183841/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/roblox-warner-bros-movie-crossover-1203094353/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Roblox has also hosted [[virtual concert]]s, such as the one starring Lil Nas X; during that concert, Lil Nas X debuted his song "[[Holiday (Lil Nas X song)|Holiday]]".<ref name="Stoned">{{Cite magazine |last=Millman |first=Ethan |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Lil Nas X to Play Virtual Concert on Roblox |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/lil-nas-x-roblox-virtual-show-1087921/ |access-date=November 14, 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110141854/https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/lil-nas-x-roblox-virtual-show-1087921/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Roblox to host its first virtual concert, featuring Lil Nas X |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/10/roblox-to-host-its-first-virtual-concert-featuring-lil-nas-x/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222741/https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/11/10/roblox-to-host-its-first-virtual-concert-featuring-lil-nas-x/ |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2020 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Lil Nas X Will Debut New Single 'Holiday' During Virtual Roblox Concert |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9481300/lil-nas-x-roblox-concert-details/ |access-date=November 14, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111005219/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9481300/lil-nas-x-roblox-concert-details/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Future virtual concerts starred artists like Swedish singer [[Zara Larsson]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Roblox: Zara Larsson performing new album – and other virtual concerts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57186245 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=[[BBC Newsround]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102124259/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57186245 |url-status=live }}</ref> and American band [[Twenty One Pilots]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Roblox will launch Twenty One Pilots virtual concert |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/08/roblox-will-launch-twenty-one-pilots-virtual-concert/ |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028085742/https://venturebeat.com/2021/09/08/roblox-will-launch-twenty-one-pilots-virtual-concert/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Twenty One Pilots to Stage Elaborate Roblox 'Concert Experience' |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/twenty-one-pilots-21-roblox-concert-experience-1235058749/ |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115154938/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/twenty-one-pilots-21-roblox-concert-experience-1235058749/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2021, Roblox partnered with [[Chipotle Mexican Grill]] to give $1 million of burritos away to the first 30,000 people every day as a part of Chipotle's "Halloween Boorito" promotion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lalley |first=Heather |date=October 26, 2021 |title=CHIPOTLE Launches a Truly 'Virtual' Restaurant via Roblox |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/chipotle-launches-truly-virtual-restaurant-roblox |website=Restaurant Business Online |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112135249/https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/chipotle-launches-truly-virtual-restaurant-roblox |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2025, "The Hunt: Mega Edition", (previous to "The Hunt: First Edition") where players competed in 25 different Roblox games for a prize of $1 million, had started.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Billcliffe |first=James |date=2025-03-04 |title=Roblox The Hunt: Mega Edition End Date, Confirmed Games, Rewards |url=https://www.vg247.com/roblox-the-hunt-mega-edition-start-date-time-release-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306213449/https://www.vg247.com/roblox-the-hunt-mega-edition-start-date-time-release-games |archive-date=2025-03-06 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=VG247}}</ref>
== 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 a [[YouTuber]] <!-- The specific name of the YouTuber does not need to be given, as it would draw too much attention towards specific incidents rather than covering the criticism of Roblox broadly. -->alleging that he had been involved with vigilantism, leading to [[Roblox Schlep ban controversy|widespread criticism towards the company]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=‘Predator hunter’ YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":43" /><ref name=":42" />
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>
=== 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 ===
During the 2017 Roblox Developers Conference, officials said that creators on the game platform, of which there were about 1.7 million as of 2017,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinberger |first=Matt |date=May 9, 2017 |title=This game turned players into $50,000-a-month entrepreneurs – now it has a plan to help them make $1.68 million a year |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/roblox-vp-of-developer-relations-grace-francisco-2017-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130004003/https://www.businessinsider.com/roblox-vp-of-developer-relations-grace-francisco-2017-5 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2017 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> collectively earned at least $30 million in 2017.<ref name="engadget">{{Cite web |last=Conditt |first=Jessica |date=July 22, 2017 |title=Hobbyist developers will make $30 million via 'Roblox' this year |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/22/roblox-30-million-pay-out-developers-2017-how/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129211723/https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/22/roblox-30-million-pay-out-developers-2017-how/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=[[Engadget]]}}</ref> The iOS version of Roblox passed $1 billion of lifetime revenue in November 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanley |first=Patrick |date=November 25, 2019 |title='Roblox Mobile' Crosses $1B in Lifetime Revenue |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/roblox-mobile-crosses-1b-lifetime-revenue-1257935 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615020631/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/roblox-mobile-crosses-1b-lifetime-revenue-1257935 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |access-date=June 15, 2020 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> $1.5 billion in June 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partleton |first=Kayleigh |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Roblox Mobile hits $1.5 billion in lifetime revenue |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/73751/roblox-mobile-one-and-a-half-billion-usd-lifetime-revenue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626230828/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/73751/roblox-mobile-one-and-a-half-billion-usd-lifetime-revenue/ |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]]}}</ref> and $2 billion in October 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partleton |first=Kayleigh |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Roblox surpasses $2 billion in player spending on mobile |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/74828/roblox-surpasses-2-billion-in-player-spending/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024191151/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/74828/roblox-surpasses-2-billion-in-player-spending/ |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2020 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]]}}</ref> making it the iOS app with the second-highest revenue.<ref name="Levy" /> Several individual games on Roblox have accumulated revenues of over $10 million,<ref name="Ling">{{Cite web |last1=Handrahan |first1=Matthew |last2=Ling |first2=Josh |date=July 21, 2020 |title=Adopt Me: The most popular game you've never played |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-21-adopt-me-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028065411/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-21-adopt-me-interview |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=Games Industry |publisher=[[Gamer Network]]}}</ref> while developers as a whole on the platform were collectively projected to have earned around $250 million over the course of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawver |first=Bryan |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Roblox Developers To Make $250 Million In 2020 Thanks To Explosive Growth |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-creators-250-million-2020-monthly-players/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101062314/https://screenrant.com/roblox-creators-250-million-2020-monthly-players/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> It became the third highest-grossing [[2020 in video games|game of 2020]], with a revenue of {{US$|2.29 billion|long=no}}, below the [[Tencent]] titles ''[[PUBG: Battlegrounds|PUBG]]'' and ''[[Honor of Kings]]''.<ref name="SuperData2020">{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Games and interactive media earnings rose 12% to $139.9B in 2020 |url=https://www.superdataresearch.com/blog/2020-year-in-review |url-access=registration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106144257/https://www.superdataresearch.com/blog/2020-year-in-review |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |website=[[SuperData Research]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Company]]}}</ref>
== References ==
{{
== External links ==
* {{Official website|1=https://
{{Roblox Corporation}}
{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Video Game}}
{{Authority control}}
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