Roblox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roblox |
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Logo used since 2022
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| Developer(s) | Roblox Corporation |
| Publisher(s) | Roblox Corporation |
| Designer(s) | David Baszucki Erik Cassel |
| Platform(s) |
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| Release date(s) |
September 1, 2006
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| Genre(s) | Game creation system, massively multiplayer online game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Roblox (pronounced ROH-bloks) is a popular online game platform where you can play games made by other people or even create your own! It was started by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004 and launched in 2006. Today, millions of people play Roblox every day. In fact, many kids under 16 in America play on Roblox each month.
On Roblox, you can find millions of games, all made by users like you. These games are built using a special programming language called Luau, which is part of Lua, and a tool called Roblox Studio. Playing Roblox is free, but you can buy a virtual currency called "Robux" to get special items or access certain games. Game creators can also earn real money by exchanging the Robux they earn. Roblox also hosts fun virtual concerts and events.
Roblox grew a lot, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were staying home. By 2020, thousands of games on Roblox had been played over a million times, and many had been played over a billion times! While many people enjoy Roblox, there have been discussions about keeping players safe online and how virtual items are sold. Some countries have also limited access to Roblox.
What is Roblox?
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Roblox is an online platform where players can enjoy games, often called "experiences," that are created by other users. Anyone can make a game using a special tool called Roblox Studio. Once a game is made, it can be shared with everyone on the platform.
The games on Roblox come in many different styles, from role-playing games to adventure games. Roblox is designed to be fun for families and is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO). This means many players can play together at the same time.
Playing Roblox is free. However, there's a virtual currency called "Robux" that you can buy with real money. You can use Robux to get cool virtual items for your character, also known as your avatar. You can also use Robux to play certain games that cost money. Talented creators on Roblox can even turn the Robux they earn into real money through a program called "Developer Exchange." There's also "Roblox Premium," a monthly membership that gives you extra features and some Robux each month.
How Robux and Virtual Items Work
Roblox has a busy virtual economy where players use Robux to buy, sell, and create virtual items. Roblox Premium members get monthly Robux, discounts, and can trade certain items.
Many items, like avatar accessories, are made by users. Some special items are "limited," meaning only a few exist. Their price can change based on how many people want them. These limited items can become very valuable. Players with Roblox Premium can trade these official limited items with each other.
Game developers and item creators can earn real money from their creations. Through the "Developer Exchange" program, they can turn their earned Robux into real-world cash. In 2020, over 345,000 developers earned money this way. Some creators even design items as a full-time job, earning a lot each year.
It's important to be safe online. Be careful of messages or websites that promise free Robux, as these are often tricks. Always protect your account information and never share your password. Roblox offers help if your account is ever accessed without your permission.
Creating Games with Roblox Studio
Roblox Studio is the special software used to create games on Roblox. It's like a toolkit for game developers! Games are mostly made using a programming language called Luau, which is a version of Lua. This language has been available for anyone to use since 2021.
Roblox Studio offers ready-made templates to help users start building their games. This makes it easier to get creative. In 2020, over 2 million developers used Roblox Studio to make more than 20 million games. Many of these creators were young people!
Exploring Games on Roblox
Roblox has a huge variety of popular games, all made by its users. By July 2020, many games had been played over a billion times, and thousands more had been played over a million times! These games cover many different styles and themes.
Each game on Roblox has an age rating. These ratings help you know if a game is right for you. Games are rated for everyone, or for players over 9, 13, or 17 years old. To play games rated 17+, you need to confirm your age with an ID.
Many companies also use Roblox to create special games that promote their products. These are sometimes called "advergames."
Connecting with Friends and Safety Features
Roblox lets players talk to each other through in-game chat and direct messages. If you are over 13 and have verified your age, you can also use voice chat. Players can join "communities" (formerly called Groups) to chat in a forum-like space. You can also add other users as friends, called "connections" since 2025.
To communicate on Roblox, you need to confirm your age. This can be done with an ID or by using age estimation software. Communication is also limited to users in similar age groups. For example, a 12-year-old can chat with users aged 9 to 15. These age checks help keep everyone safe.
Roblox has made age verification mandatory for all communication since January 2026. If you don't verify your age, you can only play games rated 9+ or lower. Age verification is also needed to publish a game. Roblox has also updated its parental controls system. This adds new safety measures for users under 13. Parents can manage screen time and private messaging for their children.
Roblox's Journey: History and Development
How Roblox Began (2004–2009)
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Roblox was created in 2004 by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel. They both had experience making educational software. Baszucki imagined a place where people could build things with physics tools and connect socially. They started developing Roblox, originally called "DynaBlocks," with the idea that users would create all the content.
Baszucki and Cassel worked alone at first, even making their own simple games. They advertised Roblox, and a few dozen players joined to test it. In 2006, they hired their first employees. Roblox officially launched on September 1, 2006, and Roblox Studio became available that year. Early games included paintball and model trains. By 2008, Roblox focused entirely on user-created games.
In 2007, Roblox introduced "Builders Club," a membership that offered extra features. This included making more games, selling virtual clothes, and getting daily Robux. They later added "Turbo" and "Outrageous" Builders Club tiers. In its early days, Roblox had two currencies: Robux and "Tickets" (Tix).
Growing Bigger (2010–2015)
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Roblox continued to grow throughout the 2010s. By August 2011, it had about 6.8 million active users each month. Its profits also increased significantly. In January 2014, the platform had 10 to 12 million monthly players.
Many games became very popular during this time. One successful creator, known as "Stickmasterluke," had games played over ten million times. In 2011, the first Roblox convention, "Roblox Rally," was held in San Francisco. Sadly, in 2013, co-founder Erik Cassel passed away.
Roblox expanded to mobile devices in 2012. A full version for iOS was released in December 2012, allowing users to play games. An Android version followed in July 2014. In November 2015, Roblox became available on Xbox One. This version initially featured a selection of games chosen by Roblox staff.
From 2013 to 2014, Roblox Studio received many updates. The Developer Exchange program was introduced, allowing creators to earn money. New features like character animations and tools for developers were also added. In 2015, Roblox updated its physics engine to make games look more realistic.
Fast Growth and the Pandemic (2016–2020)
Roblox became very popular in the late 2010s. By December 2016, it had 30 million monthly active users, which grew to 90 million by April 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further boosted its growth. Many children used Roblox to connect with friends during lockdowns.
Between March and April 2020, Roblox reported over 120 million monthly active players. The company said this included over half of all kids under 16 in the United States. The average number of daily players in 2020 increased by 85% compared to 2019. Popular games like Adopt Me! were played billions of times.
Roblox introduced "Party Place" for virtual meetups and concerts. They also announced plans for a "metaverse," a concept of interconnected virtual worlds. New features were added to help creators make more immersive games. Roblox also partnered with record labels to allow users to use licensed music in games.
In 2016, Roblox removed "Tickets," making Robux the only currency. In 2017, the option to play as a "guest" without an account was removed. Roblox also closed its official forums that year. In 2019, "Roblox Premium" replaced the old Builders Club memberships.
Public Listing and Platform Changes (2021–Present)
Roblox continued to grow in the 2020s. In March 2021, Roblox Corporation became a public company, valued at $45 billion. In 2021, Roblox started calling games "experiences."
In 2023, Roblox released public beta versions for Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. A version for PlayStation 4 was announced and released on October 10, 2023. It is also playable on the PlayStation 5 through backward compatibility. A dedicated PlayStation 5 version was released on April 14, 2026.
In 2021, Roblox faced a disagreement with the National Music Publishers' Association about music rights. They later worked together to create a system for future music partnerships. Roblox launched in China in July 2021 as "LuoBu," but it was shut down in January 2022 for redevelopment.
Roblox continues to build its vision of a metaverse. New features like voice chat for verified users over 13 were added. Facial animations based on player movements were also introduced in 2023. In March 2024, new generative artificial intelligence tools were added to Roblox Studio to help creators.
Age ratings for games were introduced in 2022 to appeal to more players. Initially, the highest rating was 13+. In June 2023, a 17+ rating was added for games with more mature themes.
In June 2026, Roblox is introducing more age-based restrictions. User accounts will be divided into tiers: "Roblox Kids" (under 9), "Roblox Select" (9 to 15), and standard Roblox (16 and over). If a user does not verify their age, they can only play games rated 9+ or lower. Age verification will also be required to publish a game.
Community and Culture
As of February 2025, Roblox has over 85.3 million daily active users. The company states that half of all American children under 16 play on Roblox monthly. Beyond games, Roblox hosts social spaces. Players have used the platform for various activities, including virtual religious processions.
The original sound effect for when a character died, known as the "oof" sound, became a popular internet meme. This sound was replaced in 2022 due to a copyright disagreement. However, in July 2025, the "oof" sound effect was officially brought back to Roblox. A music style called "Robloxcore" also became popular online.
Merchandise
In January 2017, toy company Jazwares started making Roblox toy minifigures. These sets often included codes for virtual items. In April 2021, Hasbro released Roblox-themed Nerf blasters and a Roblox version of Monopoly.
Events
Roblox hosts both real-life and virtual events. They used to have conventions called BloxCon for players. They also host virtual Easter egg hunts, Halloween events, and "Giftsplosions." The "Bloxy Awards" was an annual awards ceremony and fundraiser, which became the "Roblox Innovation Awards" in 2022. Roblox Corporation also holds the Roblox Developers Conference, an invite-only event for top creators.
Licensed and Affiliated Events
Roblox sometimes partners with movies to create special events, like those for Wonder Woman 1984 and Aquaman. Roblox has also hosted virtual concerts with artists like Lil Nas X, Zara Larsson, and Twenty One Pilots. In October 2021, Roblox partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill for a Halloween promotion, giving away virtual burritos.
See also
In Spanish: Roblox para niños
