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submitted 3 months ago by boem@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[-] macrocephalic@lemmy.world 53 points 3 months ago

I have young kids and recently learned what Roblox actually is. My kids will never be allowed to spend a cent on that. I am happy to buy them suitable games.

[-] archchan@lemmy.ml 26 points 3 months ago

I'm out of the loop. What is Roblox actually?

[-] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 38 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

It's a platform for playing and creating video games. The stated intent was for kids to make games for kids, but as soon as game creators could make real money from it, professional devs took over. The in game currency is called robux, and it seems like every game is littered with buttons to get a higher jump or faster car or whatever for a few dollars' worth.

Because young kids are not savvy consumers, the platform is chock full of identical games with the same name and logo hoping to steal players stay from whichever game is on trend at the moment.

There are certainly some games in there worth playing, but it's a very small minority.

[-] EncryptKeeper@lemmy.world 13 points 3 months ago

Sounds like LittleBigPlanet without the whimsy and fun.

[-] skulblaka@startrek.website 7 points 3 months ago

Basically, yeah, but if every single LBP level wanted to nickel and dime you out of five bucks.

[-] PraiseTheSoup@lemm.ee 12 points 3 months ago
[-] TheDarksteel94@sopuli.xyz 12 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)
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[-] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 7 points 3 months ago

From what I understand, it's a platform where you can create games and monetize them by doing things like adding subscriptions, item or ability shops, add access fees, etcetera, that require real world money to be exchanged for them. Though, I think it could also be robux, but I wouldn't know because I avoid that service like the plague.

There's a whole entire webpage dedicated to this monetization thing that's out in the open, if you wanna read it.

[-] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

The most popular game among groomers.

[-] Etterra@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago
[-] Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago

Trouble is, most of the other games out there for kids are the same thing as the roblox games, and many of them cost money upfront, then sell the kids on skins, and tiny game functions just like roblox games. It's hard to find suitable games for kids, and takes a ton of energy. I have gotten my kids into satisfactory, raft, and games like that. But my youngest keeps coming back to the grinders which all have pay to win. Good games are just not as profitable.

[-] Senshi@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

I was about to say... What does "suitable" mean? I grew up in the 90s, and "suitable games" ranged from SimCity or the settlers to age of empires, crusader Kings, quake, doom, unreal tournament or half life.

There is no need to over protect kids from the "simple" evils: when I was very young, I didn't want to play violent or scary games, even knowing they exist. Later I got curious and explored them. Depending on your choice a game such as the settlers, age of empires or crusader Kings could well be classified violent and "unsuitable". But violence is everywhere, and those were some of the games that I fondly remember for instilling a huge curiosity in history and cultures in me. And yes, we were marketing victims as well: everyone spent way too much on Magic, Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh cards and related toys. But it didn't infect every part of our lives.

Help your kids reflect on their choices and wants. Help them find out why they really want to pay too much money for that shiny Roblox skin. And offer alternatives with free, open content sharing so they realize they are being swindled. Media literacy is much tougher today because companies got much more insidious marketing vectors to infect kids.

Nowadays there are thousands of games being released per week, in addition to classics such as Minecraft, Terraria, Rimworld, Eco, which still have very strong modding and multiplayer communities.

[-] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

worst part is when they have 57 AAA games but all their friends play fucking roblox have become obsessed with making content with roblox so they can join the child labor pool it uses.

fucking worst company in the universe.

this post was submitted on 05 May 2024
260 points (95.5% liked)

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