Roblox Reveals Plans For New Content Creation Tools And Monetization Features
Roblox will soon be introducing more ways for content creators to earn money from the game with new features like player-made cosmetics, more accessible creation tools, and an option to charge subscription fees to gain access to the games they created.
First on the list are player-made cosmetics which will allow players to design, create, and sell avatar heads and bodies on the in-game marketplace. The goal is to give players more customization options and allow artists and designers to get paid for their hard work. The team, however, assures the community that they’ll be taking an “extremely thoughtful approach” to ensure that the cosmetics can be traced back to their creators should it violate any of the game’s policies. The feature is expected to hit the live servers by the end of the year.
Roblox Corp. also revealed vague plans to introduce what they describe as “in-experience creation tools.” These tools will allow even inexperienced developers to create and sell a full game without the need to use complex 3D software or Roblox Studio.
Lastly, the developers are also looking into various ways for content developers to offers subscriptions for their games, with the goal of allowing them to “establish a recurring economic relationship” with their players and potentially make their earnings more predictable. Hopefully, subscriptions will also give players access to a steady stream of new and relevant content.
According to VP of Economy Enrico D’Angelo, the above-mentioned features are part of the company's efforts to bolster the in-game economy and encourage the creation of new industries, careers, and business models.
“When we think about Roblox’s future, we envision a platform where anyone can be a buyer, creator, seller, curator, or IP owner,” D’Angelo said. “Creators, including businesses and brands of all sizes, already want a place on Roblox, and when these and other features are launched, we expect even more will want the same.”
However, it’s worth noting that Roblox has been at the heart of multiple controversies surrounding its economic system, particularly when it comes to child labor exploitation, deceptive “advergames,” and questionable monetization practices. While these new economic features will undoubtedly open up new avenues for creators to earn from the game, they’ll also likely be susceptible to further exploitation and new monetization schemes. We’ll just have to wait and see how Roblox’s new monetization plans pan out.
Roblox’s economy is powered by creators. That’s why we’re working with them to provide them the tools and opportunities they need to share their work seamlessly with a global, interconnected platform. Read more about our vision in the link below. https://t.co/0Jo2HE9RFe
— Roblox (@Roblox) July 18, 2023
