More Than a Game: Roblox in 2023

There are approximately 240 branded experiences on Roblox including The Ralph Lauren Winter Escape, Croc’s World: Tycoon, and Blippi’s Playground (a Player 2 project). And for good reason: Roblox’s Q3 2023 earnings report stated Roblox has 70 million daily active users and is seeing year-over-year growth in those aged 13-16 (+22%), 17-24 (+27%), and 25+ (+25%).

Roblox by the Numbers

Roblox launched in 2006, and in 2023 has an average daily user count of 70.2 million people worldwide.
Roblox currently features more than 40 million games/experiences.
Hours of engagement on Roblox as of Q3 2023 were 16 billion, up 20% year-over-year.

*Blippi’s Playground,* a Roblox experience for Blippi fans to enjoy in a safe virtual environment.
Source: Moonbug

The Impact

Roblox has had a significant impact on Generation Z (Gen Z) in terms of social, economic, and cultural aspects. Here's a breakdown of how the platform has influenced this generation:

1. Economic Impact:

Entrepreneurship: Roblox has empowered Gen Z to become entrepreneurs by enabling them to create and monetize their games and experiences. Many young developers have made substantial earnings through the platform.

Virtual Economy: Roblox's virtual currency, Robux, is a microeconomy in itself. Gen Z has learned about virtual economics, trade, and finance by participating in the buying, selling, and trading of virtual items.

Education: The Roblox platform has also been used in educational settings to teach coding and game development. This can potentially lead to future job opportunities in technology and game development for Gen Z.

2. Cultural Impact:

Digital Creativity: Gen Z has embraced digital creativity as a form of self-expression and Roblox encourages creativity through game design and avatar customization. A 2020 Harris Poll that surveyed all generations found that more than half of Gen Z – 56% – consider themselves creative, compared to 44% of those over the age of 24.,

Digital Natives: Roblox is a reflection of Gen Z's status as digital natives- this generation is highly active on social media platforms, with 98% of individuals aged 18-24 using at least one social media platform regularly. Being the first generation to grow up with smartphones has influenced their digital literacy, gaming preferences, and online behaviors.

Entertainment and Influence: The platform has given rise to Roblox influencers and content creators, further blurring the line between traditional and digital entertainment. Gen Z has new role models in the form of successful Roblox creators.

Innovation: Roblox's user-generated content model has also influenced the way Gen Z perceives innovation and creativity, fostering a sense of empowerment to build their own solutions and experiences.

3. Social Impact:

Connecting People: Roblox serves as a social platform where players can connect and interact with friends and strangers globally. It has helped Gen Z develop online social skills and build relationships.

Collaboration: The platform encourages collaboration and teamwork, as many games and experiences on Roblox require players to work together to achieve goals. This has fostered a sense of cooperation among Gen Z.

Community Building: Gen Z has used Roblox to build and join communities focused on shared interests, games, or creative projects. This has led to a sense of belonging and identity for many users.

Inclusivity: Roblox promotes inclusivity by allowing users to create avatars that represent their preferred identity and by offering a safe space for people from diverse backgrounds to connect.

It's important to note that while Roblox has had many positive impacts, it also raises concerns about online safety, privacy, and the potential for excessive screen time. Parents and educators play a crucial role in guiding Gen Z to make the most of the platform while also staying safe and balanced in their digital lives.

This is why Player 2 worked with Moonbug to build a safe, educational and fun experience on Roblox: Blippi’s Playground. Here, Blippi fans can explore a wonderful virtual world, earn unique items, and make new memories with friends and family.

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