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Roblox to Introduce Paid Video Games on Its Virtual Platform
Roblox to introduce paid video games and merchandise sales within games. Revenue share for creators set to increase up to 70%. Paid experiences to debut on personal computers initially, with expansion to other devices planned.
During its developers conference, the video gaming company disclosed its plans to enable developers to set prices for certain games, referred to as experiences, in real currency on desktops. Roblox will implement a revenue share increase for creators of up to 70%, although the percentage will be dependent on the game's price.
The introduction of paid experiences is scheduled to commence on personal computers later this year, with future expansion plans to encompass all other devices.
This strategic shift marks a slight deviation from Roblox's prevailing business model of free-to-play games, which has traditionally focused on the sale of its in-game currency "Robux" for acquiring cosmetics and collectibles within the digital realms.
Enrico D'Angelo, Roblox's vice president of economy, stated, "By offering our new revenue shares for paid access experiences, we're giving our existing creators another way to earn on Roblox."
In contrast to conventional video game companies, Roblox heavily relies on user-generated content to enhance engagement, rewarding creators whose games attract significant popularity and garner millions of visits on the platform. The company disclosed that it has disbursed over US$800 million to the creator community in the past year.
Furthermore, Roblox has partnered with Shopify to allow individual creators to sell physical merchandise directly from their games beginning early next year. Furthermore, the company has formed partnerships with well-known brands such as Walmart and Elf Beauty to launch stores on its platform, allowing players to buy real products directly.
Roblox's strategic efforts to broaden its monetisation channels could help it navigate the current challenges in the gaming industry, where economic uncertainty affects discretionary spending and gamers prefer established titles.
Roblox to introduce paid video games and merchandise sales within games.
Revenue share for creators set to increase up to 70%.
Paid experiences to debut on personal computers initially, with expansion to other devices planned.
Source: REUTERS