Roblox announced on Friday that it will introduce paid video games on its platform and enable developers to sell physical merchandise linked to their games.
During its developers conference, the company revealed plans to allow certain games, referred to as experiences, to be priced in real currency for desktop users. Roblox will offer a revenue share for creators that can reach up to 70%, although this will depend on the game's price.
The launch of paid experiences is set for later this year on personal computers, with intentions to extend this feature to other devices in the future.
This initiative marks a slight shift from Roblox's established and successful free-to-play model, which primarily focuses on in-game purchases of its virtual currency, "Robux," used for acquiring items like cosmetics and collectibles within its digital environments.
"By introducing new revenue sharing for paid access experiences, we are providing our current creators with an additional opportunity to earn on Roblox," stated Enrico D'Angelo, vice president of economy at Roblox.
In contrast to traditional video game companies, Roblox significantly depends on user-generated content to enhance engagement, rewarding creators whose games achieve popularity and attract millions of visits. The company reported that it has compensated the creator community with over $800 million in the past year.
Additionally, Roblox has teamed up with Shopify to enable individual creators to sell physical merchandise directly from their games starting early next year.
The company has also formed partnerships with brands like Walmart and Elf Beauty to establish stores within its platform, allowing players to purchase real products directly.
Roblox's initiatives to broaden monetization options may assist it in navigating a challenging period for the gaming industry, where economic uncertainties impact discretionary spending and gamers tend to favor established titles.