Roblox Opens Ecosystem With AI Tools and New Creator Financials
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The platform is expanding game accessibility to web and mobile while introducing generative AI to lower the barrier for game creation.
Roblox is attempting to move beyond its closed ecosystem by allowing developers to publish games as separate apps on consoles, PC, and mobile, as TechCrunch first reported. The company also announced that by the end of the year, players will be able to access games via in-browser links.
To scale production, Roblox is expanding its "Build" generative AI tool—which allows users to create games via natural language prompts—into Singapore and Serbia after an initial launch in New Zealand. TechCrunch reports that "Build" is adding desktop access, a new asset library, and iterative control, with a prompt-based scene-generation feature coming to Roblox Studio later this year. Additionally, the platform is introducing 2D game creation capabilities and NPCs capable of playtesting games.
On the monetization front, Roblox is introducing new financial infrastructure for its developers. The company is launching a Roblox Wallet, partnering with Airwallex to provide services for U.S. users aged 18 and older, enabling creators to receive real-money payments by the end of each business day. A Roblox Card is scheduled to launch next year, allowing users to spend earnings at participating merchants.
These moves come as Roblox seeks to capitalize on massive engagement levels. CEO David Baszucki stated that players spent over 29 billion cumulative hours on the platform across 180 countries in the last quarter. According to TechCrunch, game makers have earned more than $5 billion on the platform since 2013, with $1.7 billion earned in the last 12 months.