ROBLOX’S NEW "PAY-TO-PLAY" MODEL: A BLOW TO CREATORS AND GAMERS ALIKE
In a shocking move, Roblox has announced a new revenue-sharing model that favors big-name developers over indie creators. The platform’s new "pay-to-play" system will give developers a whopping 50% of the revenue for paid experiences, but only if they’re willing to part with a hefty chunk of their earnings.
THE "FREE" MARKET IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT LESS FREE
The new model is a clear attempt to attract traditional game developers to the platform, but it comes at the expense of the very creators who built Roblox into the behemoth it is today. The move is likely to stifle innovation and creativity, as smaller developers will struggle to compete with the deep pockets of larger studios.
ROBLOX’S "GAMER-FRIENDLY" FACE IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT LESS FRIENDLY
But that’s not all – Roblox is also introducing a new "Party" feature that allows users to group-chat with friends, but only if they’re willing to sacrifice their online safety. The feature will allow for voice chat, but only for users over the age of 13, leaving younger gamers vulnerable to predators and harassment.
THE "SOCIAL" PLATFORM IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT LESS SOCIAL
Roblox’s new "What’s Playing" and "Music Charts" feature is a thinly veiled attempt to become a music streaming platform, but it’s a move that’s likely to alienate its core gaming audience. The feature will allow users to discover new music, but it’s unclear how this will benefit the platform’s core gaming community.
ROBLOX’S FUTURE IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT LESS ROBLOX
The company’s new "Harmony" technology is a attempt to optimize experiences for different devices and network conditions, but it’s a move that’s likely to stifle creativity and innovation. The technology will allow developers to automatically optimize their experiences, but it’s unclear how this will benefit the platform’s core gaming community.
ROBLOX’S AMBITIOUS GOALS ARE ABOUT TO GET A LOT LESS AMBITIOUS
The company’s goal of having 10% of all gaming content revenue worldwide flow through its ecosystem is a bold one, but it’s a goal that’s likely to be unattainable. The new revenue-sharing model and features are likely to alienate the very creators and gamers who built the platform into the success it is today.
