Roblox expands AI creation tools and game distribution options
Roblox used its annual Roblox Developer Conference to announce broader access to its generative AI game-creation tool, new non-player character capabilities and plans to distribute creator-made games beyond the Roblox experience. The company said Build, its natural-language game creation feature, is expanding from New Zealand to Serbia and Singapore.
Build, first announced in July, is also receiving desktop access for larger-screen creation, an asset library and iterative controls. Later this year, Roblox plans to add prompt-based scene generation to Build and extend that capability to Roblox Studio.
Creation tools meet broader distribution
The announcements combine easier creation with a wider set of places to play. Roblox said creators will soon be able to make games available as separate apps on mobile, PC and consoles, using Roblox as the game engine. By the end of the year, players are expected to be able to enter a game in a browser through a link.
The company is also extending its engine for 2D development with an orthographic camera, animated image containers and direct sprite-sheet import for animation. In the same product push, it said creators will be able to add an offline mode so games can continue to work in areas with weak network connections.
The new direction builds on Roblox launches AI game creation in its mobile app while adding desktop tools, scene generation and distribution routes outside the core platform.
NPC, discovery and social changes
Roblox plans to add capabilities for NPCs, including the ability to playtest a game later this year. Players will get a Friends chat tab that follows them between games and supports voice typing. Its discovery algorithm will also recommend shorter games to younger users and games with longer playtime to older users.
Within the Moments vertical feed, users will soon be able to tap an avatar shown in a clip and buy items. These features sit alongside an effort to increase engagement both on Roblox and through experiences distributed more broadly.
Creator earnings products
Roblox said game makers have earned more than $5 billion on the platform since 2013, including $1.7 billion during the last 12 months. It is introducing a Roblox Wallet that will let creators receive real-money payments by the end of each business day and transfer money to other bank accounts.
Airwallex will provide the wallet service for US users aged 18 and older, with global expansion planned for the future. Roblox also previewed a Roblox Card for next year that would allow users to spend earnings wherever the card is accepted. Founder and CEO David Baszucki said players spent more than 29 billion cumulative hours across 180 countries in the last quarter. For businesses building on Roblox, the practical implication is to assess how AI-assisted production, standalone distribution and the new payout tools fit their game development and operating plans.