Let’s get the elephant out of the room first and foremost: I’m a 31-year-old man, happily married, who just so happens to spend a little too much time playing Roblox. What originally started as a beat on a previous site has turned into a full-blown enjoyment of this particular platform, and everything that it’s about. Yes, there are plenty of kids that play on this platform and plenty of games (or “experiences”) that target them with the worst of intentions, there are plenty of excellent titles on the platform that proves that fun can be anywhere that you look. Let’s look back at when the Roblox bug finally sunk its nasty little teeth into my skin, and into my psyche.
A History Of Roblox – Why Did I Lose Myself To This Platform?
While working on a previous site, I was asked if I would want to cover Roblox content. Since I’m not a huge fan of a lot of the popular games available, like Call of Duty or Destiny, I figured it would be a great way to meet my quotas and become a little bit of filler in between my regular gaming sessions. Oh, boy was I wrong.
As I mentioned above, plenty of experiences are targeted directly at the younger audience or those with far more time than I have. Pet Simulator X, while engaging in its own right, feels like mindless self-indulgence after a period. You stand in one spot, you click on things, and you get power. Thought-provoking, thrilling, and totally selling you on the platform, right? Well, that’s kind of what I thought at first, too. Just wait until you discover Obby’s.
Obby’s, or Obstacle Courses for those not as familiar with Roblox, are simple little games. You run, you jump, it’s baby’s first video game full of bright colors and repetitive music that continues to play on an endless loop. You take your character through these courses until you reach the end. Again, thought-provoking, thrilling, and totally selling you on the platform, right? That’s when things were starting to finally click with me.
This bit of information was given to me by my previous managing editor, and it changed my outlook on the platform. You can’t really look at Roblox itself as a game. It’s more of a platform, much like your PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, etc., and you’ve got to find what works for you. Roblox, as a whole, is one giant platform that encourages creativity and intrigue for players of all ages.
Related: How To Sign Up And Cancel Roblox Premium
Hook, Line & Sinker
Honestly, it’s understandable to be critical of the platform: Roblox is a very strange place. From the moment you load the website up and start looking through experiences, it’s hard to know if you’d like to jump into Fart Race or Escape Running Head. Seeing colorful graphics meant to draw in younger gamers is an easy way to dismiss the true potential that the platform has. Still, there are plenty of excellent experiences hiding right underneath the surface.
Frankly, that was one of the biggest reasons that I was scared to jump into the world of Roblox myself. What if my Discord friends caught me playing on Roblox? Would I be the laughingstock of the squad next time we logged into something with a bit more meat on its bones? Would they see that I was playing Mr. Stinky’s Detention for a work project and call me out on it?
That’s when I decided that I was going to look for other experiences, beyond what work was calling me to check out. Finding games like My Hello Kitty Cafe, which reminded me a lot of the early Diner Dash games but with a bit more depth, and Frontlines, which could give Call of Duty a run for its money, or even EVADE for the memes, I learned that the platform was a lot more than meets the eye. Shut off all the lights, throw on some headphones, and try DOORS or Forgotten Memories if you’re looking for a genuinely exciting horror game.
The biggest thing you need to do is let it grow on you. Sure, there is plenty of trash on the platform, but really, looking at the state of Triple-A Gaming at the moment, isn’t it better to find plenty of free garbage instead of paying $70 for trash? You’ll find just about the same number of microtransactions in the world of Roblox as you would in a regular game, too.
Related: How to Fix Experience Failed to Load Error in Roblox
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
However, even as someone that enjoys the platform and the time that I’ve spent on it, some glaring faults can make even the most seasoned gamer wince when they go on for the first time. The over-monetization of experiences can be a huge turnoff, especially when some games have some of the most hackneyed purchases available that can be purchased without a moment’s hesitation. But, can we really say much when free-to-play games like Fortnite are still ruling the digital world?
And for those that have younger gamers in their homes, the idea of letting your young one jump into a world that anyone can inhabit can be terrifying. A lot of us grew up in the days of AOL Instant Messaging and MSN Instant Messenger and know how weird the world can be. Roblox, unfortunately, is no different. Those with ill intent can be found on the platform, but you can easily turn off the chat function if you’ve got a younger gamer in the household that wants to play around in the worlds before them. We’ve even covered how to contact Roblox support if you think someone is targeting you for a specific reason.
It’s hard to break the stigma of Roblox being a game or a platform meant for kids, and even the development team at the Roblox Corporation has noticed this and begun implementing changes. They’re starting to roll out different protocols and age limits so gamers that are above the age of 17 can start making experiences that are more tailored toward an adult audience.
Related: How To Child-Proof Roblox For A Younger Gamer
Final Thoughts
Roblox is a world of imagination. It gives players the ability to jump into fully realized and created worlds, all done by members of the community. When I was younger, I would have gone bananas to have a platform like this that inspired creativity and allowed me to put my wildest dreams into motion. Now that more players of all ages are jumping onto the platform, however, the quality of experiences is starting to improve and shows what this world and platform are all about.
Being able to jump right in and start creating massive worlds, unique characters, and plenty of personalities makes this world something that I’m glad to be a part of. While the Stigma may still be there for plenty of gamers, at least give it a try. There’s a chance you could find something that you never expected. If you’ll excuse me, however, I need to get back to tossing our SEO manager as far as I can in Yeet A Friend.
