At the recent Roblox Developers Conference, Roblox made some exciting announcements about its platform, revealing major changes aimed at creators and game developers.
These updates promise to make the platform more rewarding for creators while introducing innovative tools to enhance the creative process, including generative AI capabilities.
The new developments focus on empowering creators, improving user experience, and further integrating AI technology into the platform. Let’s break down what Roblox has in store for its community.
Bigger Revenue Share for Creators
One of the biggest announcements from the conference is the introduction of a new revenue-sharing model for creators.
This new structure allows creators to earn a higher percentage of the revenue from their paid experiences.
Currently, creators receive about 25% of the revenue for paid experiences.
However, under the new plan, creators will be able to earn:
- 50% for experiences priced at ₹825 ($9.99)
- 60% for experiences priced at ₹2,475 ($29.99)
- 70% for experiences priced at ₹4,125 ($49.99)
This change is expected to attract more traditional game developers to Roblox, encouraging them to bring their creations to the platform.
According to Roblox’s Chief Product Officer Manuel Bronstein, the move is designed to provide more incentives for creators, making Roblox a viable platform for serious game development.
Shopify Integration for Physical Merchandise
Roblox is also teaming up with Shopify to allow creators to sell physical merchandise directly within their games.
This new integration will be piloted later this year, and it’s set to help creators and brands expand their revenue streams beyond digital experiences.
The ability to sell physical items, such as clothing or game-related merchandise, directly from within a Roblox experience will make it easier for creators to monetize their audience and establish a stronger connection between the virtual and physical worlds.
Price Optimization and Regional Pricing
To further support creators, Roblox will introduce a “Price Optimization” tool. This tool will help creators determine the best pricing for in-game purchases by running tests to understand what works best for different audiences.
Additionally, the platform is experimenting with regional pricing recommendations, allowing developers to adjust prices based on local markets.
This will help creators increase their sales by making their experiences more affordable and accessible to a global audience.
Generative AI: The Future of Game Development
Roblox also made a big announcement about its future in AI with the unveiling of a 3D foundational model designed to power generative AI creation on the platform.
Unlike current AI models that focus on generating 2D images or videos, Roblox’s AI will allow creators to generate fully interactive 3D objects using text, video, and prompts.
For example, a creator could type in a prompt describing a fantasy world with castles and dragons in a specific style, and the AI would generate the entire scene.
While the technology will not replace human creativity, it aims to make it easier for creators to develop games, especially those who may struggle with the artistic side of game creation.
Creators can also tweak and fine-tune the AI-generated content, allowing for more creative control. Roblox believes this tool will speed up game development while lowering the barriers for entry, making it accessible to more people.
Harmony Technology and Social Features
In addition to AI, Roblox introduced a new technology called “Harmony,” which will help optimize gaming experiences for different devices and network conditions. This ensures that users can enjoy Roblox no matter what device they are using or their network speed.
To make Roblox even more social, the company is launching a feature called “Party,” allowing friends to move around Roblox together in a private chat.
Whether they’re playing the same game or different ones, users can chat via text (for those under 13) or voice (for those over 13). The platform will also introduce forums for users to discuss gameplay, share feedback, and report issues.
Music Features and Future Goals
Roblox is expanding its focus on music with features like “What’s Playing” and “Music Charts” to help users discover trending songs. Through a partnership with DistroKid, artists can upload their music directly to Roblox, making the platform a destination for new and emerging music.
With these features and enhancements, Roblox has an ambitious goal: to capture 10% of all gaming content revenue worldwide. The company believes these changes will help it achieve this milestone, although no specific timeline has been provided.
