Roblox
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| Roblox | |
|---|---|
 Roblox's Logo as of now. | |
| Developer(s) | Roblox Corporation |
| Publisher(s) | Roblox Corporation |
| Designer(s) | Roblox Corporation |
| Engine | ImPlicitNgine |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | June 2005 |
| Genre(s) | MMOG, Physics Sandbox |
| Mode(s) | Online multiplayer, Solo editing |
Roblox (stylized as "RŌBLOX") is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) virtual playground and workshop designed for children aged 6 and over. While it can be played for free, many features are omitted without a subscription. The game is made up of building bricks of various shapes and sizes. Roblox has no pre-defined goals.[1] Players can build anything and share their creations with the Roblox community.[2] Roblox users can script the places they create with a modified version of Lua 5.1.[3][4] Roblox is part of the TRUSTe privacy program[5] and the Better Business Bureau rated 'A'.[6][7]
History and development
Roblox was created by David Baszucki in Silicon Valley, California and is based in Portola Valley, California.[8] The name is a portmanteau of the words "Robots" and "Blocks".[9] In mid-2007, Roblox considered the concept of a Megablocks-style character to avoid infringements on any copyrights held by Lego Group and allow for more complex clothing such as hairpieces to blend with the character.[10] This was however rejected later for the minifigure design which was already in use. In mid-2008, Roblox added a feature to allow non-registered users to enter places with restricted functionality. [11] Roblox has raised $2.3 million in funding after an equity issue. [12] On 21 January 2010, Roblox donated $5472 to relief efforts for the Haitian Earthquake, allowing players to buy one of two virtual items: the Red Hat for Haiti, which contributed 65 cents for every person who bought it, or the Blue Hat for Haiti that contributed 10 cents for every person who bought it. [13] Roblox has recently been featured on Click, the BBC’s flagship technology programme.[14]
Customization
Players can customize their characters with the many items in the Catalog. The Catalog contains many Roblox created, and user created items such as shirts, T-shirts, pants, decals, models, hats, and gear. Roblox users can also customize their games, using a scripting language called Lua.
Places
Players in Roblox have the ability to construct up to one place with a regular account, ten with Builders Club, twenty five with Turbo Builders Club, and 100 with Outrageous Builders Club, using an unlimited supply of virtual building blocks.[15] Obstacle courses are the most common games, involving competition.[14]
Games
Users are allowed to visit other users' created places and see their creations.[16] A game is built up of virtual bricks and Lua scripts to allow users to make whatever they wish.
Roblox Studio
Roblox Studio is a program very similar to Microsoft Visual Studio, used to build, edit, or test places.[17] It is an essential program in order to do things such as scripting and advanced building.[18]
Economy
Roblox has its own virtual economy. Players can earn and trade two currencies, Tickets and Robux.[19] Users are awarded Tickets when other users visit their virtual places, Tickets, Robux, or both from selling their user made clothing, or by trading their money on Roblox's currency market. Players are also given a bonus of 10 Tickets every time they login, although this can only be received once a day. Members paying for a Builders Club subscription receive an additional daily allowance of 15 Robux, 35 Robux if they are in Turbo Builders Club, or 60 Robux if they are in Outrageous Builders Club.[20]
See also
- Blockland - A similar MMOG
- LEGO Universe - An upcoming MMOG in development by NetDevil, endorsed by LEGO.
- List of MMOGs
References
- ^ "Listio Reviews of Roblox". Listio. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- ^ "Roblox Game Review - MMO Hut". MMOHut. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
- ^ "Roblox as an educational program language". Kids Like. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
- ^ "Parents guide to Roblox".
- ^ "Roblox at TRUSTe". TRUSTe. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
- ^ "BBB Review of ROBLOX in Redwood City, California". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ^ "Better Business Bureau Accredited". Roblox Corporation. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Roblox Info on BuisnessWeek". BusinessWeek. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
- ^ "Interview with Telamon". Roblox Corporation. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
- ^ "Roblox Developers' Journal >> More Character Visuals". Roblox Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "Be Our Guest; Buy Our ROBUX". Roblox Corporation. Retrieved 26 September 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Roblox Raises 2.3M". VentureBeat. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
- ^ "ROBLOX Uses Virtual Goods to Help Kids Donate to Haiti". Earthtimes. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ^ a b "Webscape on games site Roblox and Please Rob Me". BBC News. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ "Building blocks of Roblox".
- ^ "Roblox - Free Multiplayer Online Games". Free Multiplayer Online Games. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ "Roblox - A Cool Lego-Based Free Virtual World for Kids". makeuseof.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ "Roblox on the Great Games Experiment". Great Games Experiment. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- ^ "Roblox Game Overview at Onrpg". Onrpg. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- ^ "Roblox Review on Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 24 May 2009.