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Roblox Studio

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Roblox Studio
Developer(s)Roblox Corporation
Initial releaseSeptember 1, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-09-01)[1]
Stable release
639 / August 22, 2024; 10 months ago (2024-08-22)[2]
Written in
PlatformWindows, macOS
TypeGame creation system
LicenseProprietary software

Roblox Studio is a game creation system developed by Roblox Corporation. It allows users to create and publish Roblox games, which can then be played by other users.[3] Games, officially referred to as "experiences" on the platform,[4][5] are made with Luau, a derivative of the programming language Lua.[6][7] Users are able to create purchasable content through one-time purchases, known as "game passes", as well as microtransactions which can be purchased more than once, known as "developer products" or "products".[8][9] The majority of games produced using Roblox Studio are developed by minors, and a total of 20 million games per year are produced using it.[10][11]

History

The logo used from 2017 to 2021 (left), and the logo used from 2021 to 2022 (right).

Roblox Studio was officially launched alongside Roblox on September 1, 2006.[1]

On October 1, 2013, Roblox released its Developer Exchange program, allowing developers to exchange virtual currencies earned from their games into real-world currencies.[12] On May 31, 2015, a feature called Smooth Terrain was added, increasing the graphical fidelity of in-game terrain and changing the Roblox physics engine from a block-oriented style to a smoother and more realistic one.[13] On November 20, Roblox Studio began rolling out support for the publishing of Xbox One games, subject to an approval process based on Entertainment Software Rating Board standards.[14][15]

In March 2024, two generative artificial intelligence tools were introduced to Roblox Studio in an effort to speed up content creation: automatic avatar customization and a texture generator. The avatar customization feature automatically converts three-dimensional body meshes into live-animated avatars, and the texture generator allows users to create textures of objects using text descriptions through a text-to-image model.[16][17]

Features

Scripting

A rotated blue square with a similarly rotated square hole near its top-right as well as similarly rotated text, "Luau", near its bottom.
The Luau logo
Screenshot of Luau source code

Roblox Studio utilizes Luau, a dialect of the programming language Lua, for scripting. This variant is derived from Lua 5.1 and is designed to maximize performance with support for gradual typing. Luau incorporates features that facilitate writing robust code, combining linting tools and type checking to enhance stability.[18] In November 2021, Roblox Corporation released Luau under the MIT License.[19] Roblox Studio also uses C++ for background processes such as memory management.[20][21]

Templates

Roblox Studio offers multiple pre-made game templates that provide developers with a solid starting point. These templates are ideal for both beginners and experienced developers, facilitating rapid prototyping and game customization.[22]

Toolbox

The Toolbox feature allows access to the Roblox Marketplace directly from Roblox Studio. In this marketplace, users can find user-created models, plugins, audio, images, meshes, videos, and fonts. This functionality not only streamlines the development process but also fosters collaboration among creators.[23][24]

Plugins

The Plugins mechanic of Roblox Studio allows users to install additional features into their workspaces. Plugins are user-created and listed on the Roblox Creator Store for free or for money (via Stripe). Formerly, plugins could be bought with Robux, Roblox's virtual currency. However, on April 10, 2024, Roblox announced that plugins would be purchased exclusively with real money, and that purchasing with Robux would be deprecated, effective immediately.[24]

Usage

All Roblox games are developed using Roblox Studio, which serves as the primary tool for creators.[7][25] As of 2020, Roblox reported that over 2 million developers actively utilized Roblox Studio to produce more than 20 million games annually. This impressive output highlights the platform's accessibility and popularity among creators of all ages, with a significant portion of the developer base comprising minors.

The Developer Exchange program has become a vital aspect of the Roblox ecosystem, allowing approximately 345,000 developers to convert their in-game earnings (in Robux) into real-world currency. This initiative not only incentivizes creativity but also fosters entrepreneurial skills among young developers, giving them the opportunity to monetize their creations.

Roblox Studio’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive resources empower creators to design diverse experiences, from simple obstacle courses to complex multiplayer games. The platform’s focus on community engagement and collaboration further enhances the development process, as users share scripts, assets, and ideas to elevate their projects.

As Roblox continues to grow, the impact of Roblox Studio on game development, particularly among younger audiences, cannot be overstated. It serves as a gateway for many into the world of programming and game design, inspiring the next generation of developers.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Yaden, Joseph (May 4, 2020). "What is Roblox?". Digital Trends. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  2. ^ "Latest Updates/Release Notes topics". Roblox Developer Forum. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Dredge, Stuart (September 29, 2019). "All you need to know about Roblox". The Guardian. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Robertson, Adi (May 14, 2021). "Apple said Roblox developers don't make games, and now Roblox agrees". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  5. ^ Peterson, Mike (May 14, 2021). "Roblox rebrands as 'experience' creation platform amid Epic Games v. Apple trial". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Vanbrocklin, Tyler (December 26, 2012). "How to Learn Roblox and Roblox Studio". Game Development Envato Tuts+. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Haskins, Heath (September 16, 2021). "Roblox 101: How to Make Your First Game". PCMag. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Carter, Marcus; Mavoa, Jane (March 17, 2021). "Why is kids' video game Roblox worth $38 billion and what do parents need to know?". The Conversation. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Cao, Jing (March 14, 2017). "Roblox Unearths $92 Million to Challenge Microsoft's Minecraft". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Douthwaite, Andrew; Warneford, Matthew; Pierce, Matt (2020). "Dubit Guide to Roblox for Brands". DocSend. Dubit Limited. p. 5. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Browning, Kellen (August 16, 2020). "You May Not Know This Pandemic Winner, but Your Tween Probably Does". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Grubb, Jeff (June 6, 2014). "Roblox is gaming's quiet giant – and it's only getting bigger". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  13. ^ Takahashi, Dean (June 1, 2015). "Roblox user-generated world moves from blocky terrain to smooth 3D". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  14. ^ Grubb, Jeff (September 24, 2015). "Roblox comes to Xbox One, joins Minecraft in the growing player-made content space on consoles". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  15. ^ Grubb, Jeff (January 27, 2016). "Roblox launches on Xbox One with 15 player-created games – watch us play them". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  16. ^ Rousseau, Jeffrey (March 20, 2024). "Roblox unveils new AI-powered creation tools". Games Industry. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Irwin, Kate (March 18, 2024). "Roblox Launches New Generative AI Texture and Avatar Tools for Creators". PCMag. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "Why Luau?". Luau. Retrieved August 3, 2024. All of these motivated us to start reshaping Lua 5.1 that we started from into a new, derivative language that we call Luau. Our focus is on making the language more performant and feature-rich, and make it easier to write robust code through a combination of linting and type checking using a gradual type system.
  19. ^ "Luau Goes Open-Source". Luau. November 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Wirtz, Bryan (September 29, 2023). "Getting Started With Roblox Scripting". GameDesigning. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "What Code Does Roblox Use? (Lua, C++, Java, or Python)". FunTechBlog. June 27, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  22. ^ Jagneaux, David (January 1, 2018). "The Ultimate Roblox Book: An Unofficial Guide: Learn How to Build Your Own Worlds, Customize Your Games, and So Much More!". Simon & Schuster. p. 240. ISBN 978-1507205334. LCCN 2017040387. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  23. ^ Jagneaux, David (January 1, 2018). The Ultimate Roblox Book: An Unofficial Guide: Learn How to Build Your Own Worlds, Customize Your Games, and So Much More!. Simon & Schuster. p. 240. ISBN 978-1507205334. LCCN 2017040387.
  24. ^ a b "Roblox Toolbox Full Guide". Learn. Build. Play. July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference androidpolice was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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