Roblox

Roblox is an online game platform and game creation system developed by Roblox Corporation. It was created by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004, and released to the public in 2006. The platform lets users program and play games created by themselves or other users.

As of February 2025, Roblox had an average of 85.3 million daily active users. According to the company, half of all American children under the age of 16 play the platform each month.

Roblox hosts millions of user-created games, all made using a special version of the programming language Lua and the platform's game engine, Roblox Studio. While Roblox is free-to-play, it has in-game purchases using its virtual currency called "Robux". Game developers can create items that cost Robux, and they can exchange their earned Robux for real-world currency through the platform's "Developer Exchange" program.

The platform began to grow rapidly in the second half of the 2010s, and this growth sped up during 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.

Overview

Roblox is an online game platform and game creation system where players can make and play games created by themselves or others. It was created by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004 and released to the public in 2006. The games on Roblox come in many types, from role-playing games to games about escaping prison. The platform is made to be family-friendly and is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO).

Roblox is free-to-play but has a virtual currency called "Robux" that can be bought with real money. Robux can be used to buy virtual items for a player's character, called an "avatar", or to access special games. Many items on Roblox are made by players, though Roblox itself made most items in the past. Players can also earn real money by selling their creations through a program called "Developer Exchange". There is also a monthly service called "Roblox Premium" that gives extra features and a regular amount of Robux.

History and development

Roblox was created in 2004 by software engineers David Baszucki and Erik Cassel. They started by working on simple, basic versions of the platform, where players could create and play games. Roblox was officially released to the public on September 1, 2006.

Over the years, Roblox grew very popular, especially among children. By 2020, it had tens of millions of players, partly because many people used it during lockdowns. Roblox introduced many new features to help players create and enjoy games, like special meeting places and tools for game developers.

In recent years, Roblox has continued to grow, adding new ways for players to interact and creating tools to keep the platform safe and fun for everyone. It has also expanded to many different devices, so players can enjoy Roblox on computers, phones, and game consoles.

Community and culture

As of February 2025, Roblox has over 85.3 million players each day. Many young people in the United States use the platform, and it has become a place where players can meet and have fun together. Players have used Roblox to show support for important causes and to do things they could not do in real life because of health guidelines.

Roblox has also created special sounds and music that many people enjoy. The platform has partnered with toy companies to make real-world toys that connect to the online game. Roblox often holds exciting events, like treasure hunts and award shows, and even has special meetings for creators to learn about new updates. They have also worked with famous movies, musicians, and even food companies to create fun experiences for players.

Reception

Further information: Child safety on Roblox

Roblox has been well received by many. Common Sense Media gave Roblox 4 out of 5 stars, liking its many games and how it helps kids be creative. They suggest turning off chat for younger players to avoid any bad interactions. Patricia E. Vance from the Family Online Safety Institute said parents should watch what their kids do, but she liked how Roblox lets kids play, explore, make friends, create, and learn on their own. She especially liked Roblox Studio, which helps kids learn how to make games.

Some people worry about things they find in Roblox. There have been games with strong political ideas and other content that some find upsetting. Roblox works hard to remove this kind of content. They have many people checking for bad stuff and offer ways for parents to set up safety controls. Some people think Roblox could do more to keep kids safe online. Roblox has talked about these concerns and tries to improve its safety rules.

The way Roblox makes money has also been talked about. Some think it is too easy for kids to spend money without parents knowing. Roblox has made changes, like hiding ads from users under 13, but some still think more can be done. Some game makers also feel they don’t get paid fairly by Roblox.