Roblox is one of the most popular online gaming platforms where millions of people play games created by other users. But Roblox is not just a place to play games—it’s also a platform where people can create their own games and even make money from them.
Recently, Roblox announced some exciting changes that are great news for game creators, especially those who make paid games. Let’s dive into what this means, and why it’s important for both developers and players.
What’s Changing for Game Developers?
Roblox is known for letting people create their own games, called “experiences,” using their imagination and coding skills. Many of these games are free to play, but some game developers charge players to access special parts of their games or buy items inside the game. Now, Roblox wants to make sure developers get paid more for their hard work.
In the past, developers who created paid games on Roblox earned a certain percentage of the money from the games they sold. But now, Roblox is increasing that percentage. Instead of keeping most of the money for itself, Roblox will allow developers to keep between 50% to 70% of the revenue (the money made from selling games or in-game items). This is a big jump compared to what many developers were getting before!
David Baszucki, the CEO of Roblox, said that this change is meant to help developers make more money from their games, which in turn will lead to more creative and fun games being made. By giving creators a bigger slice of the pie, Roblox hopes to encourage more people to create premium games that players will want to pay for.
A New Way to Earn: Affiliate Links
But that’s not the only way Roblox is helping developers make money. At its 2024 Developers Conference, Roblox announced a new feature called the affiliate link program. This is a cool way for developers to make even more money by spreading the word about Roblox.
Here’s how it works: if a developer shares an affiliate link to Roblox and someone signs up through that link, the developer will get 50% of any money that new user spends on Roblox during the first six months. This only applies to purchases under $100, but it’s still a great way for developers to earn more from new players they bring to the platform.
For example, let’s say a game developer posts a link on social media, and a person clicks on it, creates a Roblox account, and buys something in the game. The developer would then earn money from that purchase! This system encourages developers to bring in new players, which helps Roblox grow its community.
Why is Roblox Doing This?
You might be wondering, “Why is Roblox making these changes?” Well, Roblox has some big plans. The company wants to grow even more, and it has a huge goal: to reach 1 billion users. Right now, Roblox has about 79.5 million daily active users—that’s a lot, but it’s nowhere near 1 billion.
To reach that goal, Roblox is focusing on two main things: attracting older users and offering premium games. Roblox is very popular with kids and teens, but now it’s trying to bring in older players too. Older players are more likely to pay for premium games or spend money on in-game items, which is why Roblox is pushing for more paid experiences.
Additionally, Roblox is making sure these premium games can be played on low-end devices, like mobile phones or older computers. This way, even people who don’t have the latest technology can enjoy the games. David Baszucki mentioned that Roblox is working hard to create games that can support over 100 players at once in large, open-world settings—similar to games like battle royale or sports games. This is a big deal because many of these types of games usually require powerful devices to run smoothly. By making sure these games can run on lower-end devices, Roblox is opening the door for more players to join in the fun.
What About the App Store Fees?
One challenge Roblox might face with its big plans is the fees that app stores, like Apple’s App Store and Google Play, charge. These stores take a cut from every purchase made through their apps. This could affect how much money Roblox and its developers make, especially since a lot of players use mobile devices to access Roblox.
It’s not clear yet how these fees will impact Roblox’s growth, but it’s something the company will need to keep in mind as they push for more premium games on mobile devices. Developers, too, will need to consider these fees when pricing their games or in-game items.
New Features to Make Roblox More Fun
Along with the changes in how developers get paid, Roblox also announced some fun new features that will make the platform even better for players. One of the coolest new features is called Party Mode. This feature will let up to six friends join a group and chat with each other while playing different games on Roblox. They can even switch between games together, making it easier to explore new experiences with friends.
Roblox is also teaming up with Shopify, an e-commerce platform, to allow developers to sell real-world products within their Roblox games. Imagine playing your favorite game on Roblox and being able to buy a t-shirt or a toy related to that game without leaving the platform! This could add a whole new level of excitement for both players and developers.
The Future of Roblox
With these changes, Roblox is setting the stage for some exciting times ahead. By giving developers more ways to make money and creating a platform that’s more accessible to both younger and older players, Roblox is working hard to grow its user base and bring even more creative games to the platform.
Whether you’re a game creator looking to make money or a player excited about new premium games, there’s a lot to look forward to on Roblox. As Roblox continues to evolve, it’s clear that the platform is not just about playing games—it’s about creating, connecting, and building a massive community of players and developers from all around the world.
So, whether you’re a fan of Roblox or just curious about what’s next, keep an eye out for these exciting updates. The future of Roblox looks brighter—and more fun—than ever!
