If a title could ever give Minecraft a run for its money, it would be Roblox. With over fifty million games, billions of dollars in revenue and up to 170 million users as of last year, this online gaming platform remains the biggest of its kind to date. The platform is unique because you can play several games and create one if you wish to share a gaming idea with the world. In essence, users play games created by other users. The game, developed by Roblox corporations, was released in 2006 and housed several genres like puzzles, action, arcade, simulations, adventure, etc. 

Some users go there to wander after creating a personal game universe and gist with friends. The game also uses Lua programming language for those who wish to code and allows various in-game purchases. In the beginning, it struggled to gain some ground, but in the last two decades till now, the platform has doubled its annual revenues. Recent data even shows that it now houses games with a playtime of more than a billion times. Besides, gamers have found a new career in game development through the platform and are raking in profits in multitudes. 

The platform, features, games, and walkthrough

This title lets players design games based on their ideas and fantasies through an inbuilt studio. Other players can log in and play these games. Developers can create purchasable items, and players need to buy these kinds of stuff to progress. As a player, I found that the platform appeals mainly to minors as most developers are below 18. As I mentioned, you can trade items on the forum using a currency known as Robux. However, you’ll need real money to buy some things, including the virtual currency itself. 

I tried playing some excellent titles on the platform, including shark attack and prison escape. One pertinent thing to note is that the ever-expanding game library on this platform offers various genres, including adventures and musical games. There’s a game somewhere on the forum for you. Apart from creating avatars and games using simple tools, the game also serves as a playground for kids to meet and wander in their chosen universe. 

To give back to the community and make awareness for the game, the developers host annual virtual and real-life events for gamers and designers. The events accost gaming enthusiasts with the latest tools the platform offers and the best games available. Recently, a company made natural toys from characters in the game to promote enthusiasts worldwide. 

The excellent experiences I had

Indeed, this game is nothing short of phenomenal. I’ll start with the excellent graphics and attention to details evident by the avatars you can create on the platform. The tools for game creation are easy to use and understand, even for beginners with little or no programming knowledge. I also noticed the significant sound effects that will give your game the tint of excellence it needs. 

Other excellent positives include the great interactive system of the game. You can hang out on the application and set up birthday parties for your friends. Some users brainstorm ideas and come on the platform to transform them into impressive games. You can also play the game on various devices, including tablets, PCs, and smartphones. 

The developers also did not take ownership of any user-generated content on the platform, including sound effects, as they ensured that every designer had a cut in the profits. This move has created a career opportunity for youngsters interested in game development. 

The setbacks I couldn’t overlook

The available genres in this game are endless, and the fun is infinite, which made it earn several accolades and positive reviews. However, it has also garnered sizable criticism for several things. On top of the list is the contents. The game mostly appeals to children, and the content is unfiltered to a large extent. There are some games on the platform with sexually explicit contents and unimaginable violence, which is unsuitable for children of specific age groups. This setback has raised quite a considerable concern from parents of children who are addicted to the game. 

Besides, due to the game’s large size and player population, it is not uncommon for you to run into hackers. The unfortunate thing about this is that some of these hackers get away with their atrocities. Another setback is in the chat feature. The game has a flawed filtration system which is detrimental to children. You might see some vulgar or abusive statements and sceneries go unpenalized in some chat rooms, and some go as far as inciting violence. Thankfully, there’s a way parents and guardians can set certain limitations to the way their children communicate on the platform. Parents can also track and see their ward’s chat history and friends on the forum.

One last issue with this title is in the additional purchases for gamers and developers. The game will tempt you to make several purchases as a player, and the producers split the profit between the developers and the designers. As a game developer on Roblox, you must buy items to design your title if you wish to make something worthwhile. Since most users on this platform are children, the adverse effect lies in uncontrolled spending and the urge to buy as many items as possible. The onus is on parents and guardians to keep watching and monitoring their ward’s microtransaction history from time to time. 

Verdict

This impressive sandbox game is one of a kind with its unique design and endless possibilities. The genres have no limit, and playing with friends has never been this fun. 

The developers took gaming to a whole new level with its unique social interaction system and chat features. Even though there’s little control over the age limit or player type, the game has a set feature for parents to restrict and monitor their ward’s activities on the platform. With Roblox, the sky is your imaginative limit, as you can create games containing your wildest and funniest fantasies.