A parent’s guide to the vast world of Roblox

My kids are constantly talking about Roblox with their friends. This is surprising, as they hadn't played it until recently. Their enthusiasm, however, is typical – they instantly become self-proclaimed experts in any new game they encounter (ahem, Minecraft). Before letting them loose, I decided to investigate Roblox myself.

I discovered not a single game, but a vast, diverse collection of experiences. While Roblox doesn't offer the same appeal to adults as titles like Assassin's Creed or Fortnite, its simplicity and straightforward design are clearly captivating for younger children.

What is Roblox?

Roblox isn't a single game, but a platform (available on Windows, Xbox One, Amazon, Android, and Apple devices) enabling users to create their own games, or "experiences." The platform boasts over 11 million games, spanning various genres and quality levels. Some are exceptional, others unfinished, and some barely playable. However, each reflects individual or group creativity, from amateur to professional developers.

With 11 million experiences, Roblox offers a wide array of game types: shooters, martial arts games, world-building simulations, RPGs, racing games, and even recreations of classic games like Sonic. I personally enjoyed the world-building games, finding the controls in faster-paced games a bit slow. However, across genres, I found many worthwhile experiences.

Is Roblox good for kids?

Absolutely. The sheer variety ensures something for every child. I polled kids at the bus stop (kindergarten through second grade) for recommendations, and they provided a lengthy list. Younger children seemed to favor role-playing games. "Adopt Me," a pet-caring game, and "Brookhaven," similar to Second Life, were popular choices. These games extend children's imaginative play into a digital space.

[Related: A parent’s guide to playing Fortnite with your kids]

Roblox also provides parental controls. Accounts can be restricted to approved games, financial transactions can be limited or disabled, and chat/friend requests can be controlled or blocked entirely (highly recommended, given the potential for inappropriate content despite moderation efforts).

Remember, however, that in-game settings alone aren't sufficient for online safety. Discuss responsible online behavior and strategies for handling inappropriate content with your children.

Decide how much you want to spend

Roblox is free-to-play, but offers in-app purchases. Players can buy cosmetic items (clothes, jewelry, weapons) for their avatars, experience passes for enhanced abilities within specific games, or a premium membership providing Robux (in-game currency) and access to trading.

Importantly, a portion of spending goes directly to game creators, not just Roblox. Roblox states that 28% of revenue is distributed to creators, supporting both large companies and smaller developers.

Can you really build your own games?

Roblox's success stems from its large community of game designers, facilitated by the user-friendly Roblox Studio.

Game design involves two main aspects: world-building and scripting. World-building is relatively straightforward, using blank worlds or pre-designed templates. Users can create terrain, place objects, and build structures with basic digital tools. While complex builds require learning, map creation is accessible to all.

Scripting, using the Lua programming language, is more challenging. However, Roblox provides comprehensive tutorials to guide users in learning Lua, transforming Roblox from a game into a learning platform. I eagerly await my children's creations.

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