‘He is on the computer, again!’

This is the typical refrain that I hear from my in-laws about what their 12-year-old son has been up to and when I ask, ‘What is he doing on the computer?’ in unison they reply, ‘nothing!’ It got me thinking… if someone saw me on my computer and said that I was doing ‘nothing’ that would make me feel rather inadequate as if the hobbies and activities that were interesting to me were not worth talking about. With some probing I was able to determine what my nephew was actually doing on his laptop which was (J. Mulcahy, personal communication, October 9, 2021): 

• adding a voiceover to gameplay and uploading machinima to his YouTube channel
• interacting with friends
• playing Minecraft 
• playing Roblox
• creating items for his Roblox avatar

The idea that these activities are ‘nothing’ highlights perhaps what is a clash of value systems and a misunderstanding of the complex skills needed to execute any of the tasks required to create online content and engage in online game play (Johnson, 2005, p. 11). My students play Roblox, too, and the above interaction was enough to give me pause. I regularly speak to students about the books they read, but as for those who are playing computer games, I haven’t felt knowledgeable enough to have a meaningful conversation. On reflection I realised I have work to do – I certainly haven’t read every book in the library but I can talk about books, why can’t I be adjacent to other forms of media? My bias exists, and henceforth I have conducted some research on Roblox, and I will follow up this post with other areas of interest including Minecraft, social media, books aimed at teenagers, and just in case you are out of your depth like me and my in-laws, some suggested conversation topics to get you up to speed with your children or students wiling away the day on their favourite game, social media app, or reading a YA novel. 

Isaac's Island in Roblox - Animal Crossing clone by avlxyz available under a CC 2.0

Before we embark on an overview of Roblox, let’s start with the concept of ‘pull media’ (Buckingham, 2013, p. 77). The design of modern media, including video games, falls into the category of ‘pull media’ with high levels of engagement, a non-linear structure, and interactivity that has led to the creation of a space that is vastly different to the monologic media forms of the past. I guess this is where many of us get the ‘heeby jeebies’ – kids talking to other people while they play games? They’re in a game with 28 random individuals? Peeps, the days of Yoshi and Mario on Nintendo Gameboy and DS are well and truly, over, (well, I’m holding on tightly to my DS). To highlight the difference, Buckingham (2013, p. 77) refers to older forms of media, like television, as ‘push media’ which directs content at the user. Roblox is ‘pull media’ in that it gives space for the user to choose when and how to engage, it requires input in terms of the creation of an avatar and responsive game play, and there is an ongoing interaction between players and creators. The morality judgement about the value of online gaming devalues the way many young people spend their time (Johnson, 2005, p. 14). Just because it isn’t the same as how we spent our time doesn’t mean it is a corrupting influence.

Roblox is both a user plays, and user creates model of platform but there is not necessarily more ‘value’ in either mode. There are various appeals for young people in the ‘play’ mode—designing an avatar (what a great way to capture aspects of their identity online (Jenkins, 2016, p. 31)), accruing items and in-game currency, ‘Robux’ (which I will elaborate upon in a moment), seeking out the games of favourite creators, playing a particular style of game, and really there is a ‘give and take’ notion of contributing to a data set for the game creator by providing feedback about elements of the game. The ‘creator’ side of the game really highlights Dowdall’s (2009, pp. 44-45) exploration about the constructivist nature of content creation and the power of learning outside the realms of formalised schooling. When creating within Roblox, a user may design entire games that start with a simple walkthrough to entire worlds. Experienced players with time on their hands can be very successful in this space and really, the only limit is their imagination (J. Mulcahy, personal communication, October 23, 2021). The affordances of the platform are developing alongside the expertise of users keeping it ever engaging with new content and options (Buckingham, 2013, 77). Roblox also allows the development of items like clothing for avatars within the platform which can then be offered to other players for purchase (J. Mulcahy & A. Mulcahy, personal communication, October 23, 2021). The sophisticated skills required to inhabit the realm of Roblox in both player and creator mode highlights the inherent value of the platform where young people can be immersed and engaged in a space while learning a range of skills that transfer to use in other contexts (Johnson, 2005, 9; Kuhlthau et al., 2015, p. 19).

Established in 2006, the game, according to YouTuber, I Am Your Target Demographic (2021, 3:56), has had a rush of popularity in response to the lockdowns required during the global health pandemic as it allows young people to stay in contact with their friends as they are able to chat while they play. Roblox has various parental controls available so the game can be locked down like ye’ old Yoshi and Mario, or players can be allowed to chat with other young people who they may know from school or extra-curricular activities. The interactivity offered requires young people to conduct themselves via a complex social contract in both communication and play as various games require collaboration and items may be traded (Jenkins, 2016, pp. 27-28; Johnson, 2005, p. 9).  Roblox currently offers a text chat function, but voice chat is a feature that will be released imminently to make this feature even more immersive (J. Mulcahy, personal communication, October 23, 2021). 

The joy that the game brings to users is not to be diminished but it is also a space where creativity and the skills required to create games and items, are honed alongside complex social interactions around trades of animals in ‘Adopt Me’ style games, and financial literacy required to manage Robux (I Am Your Target Demographic, 2021, 2:30; Fiske, 2010, p. 41). Beyond what is a range of positive aspects we should remember that Roblox is a business, and there are things of which we must be mindful. Roblox is a ‘hosting’ site like social media and YouTube, that stores user generated content, and it is a company, not an altruistic non-for-profit platform for tweens to chat to their friends. The nefarious side, of course, is that there is money to be made. While there is plenty of free content available to players, and some in-game currency is generated through game play and events, real bucks are required to purchase ‘Robux’ and this ups the ante on game play (A. Mulcahy, personal communication, October 23, 2021). Monthly subscriptions are available so players can make in-game purchases and it is these virtual belongings that make money for creators – if someone creates a game, they can embed items throughout the game that must be purchased to continue or to engage in the game in some way. Mind, though, that it is not just the creator who benefits from the sale of goods within the game. Roblox takes a 30% cut (CNBC, 2021, 3:32). To buy 100 000 in game Robux costs $1000 but selling 100000 back to Roblox? Well, that will earn just $350 and there is also a fee to withdraw real world dollars (D’Anastasio, 2021, para. 9). It seems that Roblox is definitely earning the big bucks.

Anyone who has children to buy a gift for rather appreciates the process of transmediation of which Roblox has taken full advantage. There is a range of books, action figures, and gift cards available in amounts of $10, $25, and $50 allowing users to buy in game Robux. Gift cards may offer a discrete way of allowing players to purchase in game rather than connecting a real-life credit card to an account. I did type ‘Is Roblox suitable for a 12-year old’ and landed on the expected ‘moral panic’ listing the dangers of the game (Jenkins et al., 2016, pp. 24-25). I just wanted to say, yes, Family Zone (2021, para. 7), the internet, and specifically, online fames, like any ‘room filled with strangers’ could harbour shady characters but real world, or online world, the stranger danger rules apply. We teach our young people to be careful in public places and this is just a little reminder, to continue such lessons so our young people are able to interact safely, while saving some of their pocket money, in the online world of Roblox.  

Roblox gift card in a hand over gift cards background by Gifty Cards available under a CC 2.0

Here are some questions you could ask to generate conversation about Roblox:

1. What does your avatar look like? Why have you decided on that outfit and features?
2. Have you ever made any items for your avatar? What have you made? Would you consider making some?
3. How long did it take you to make the items? What kinds of skills do you need to make things for the game?
4. What are your favourite types of games in Roblox?
5. Do you have a favourite game creator?
6. Have you ever created a game? What was the most exciting part of creating your own game? What was the most challenging?
7. What do you like most about Roblox?
8. What do you like least about Roblox?
9. What do you think about Robux? Is it better to play with some Robux in your account? Can you have just as much fun without Robux? 
10. Do you communicate with your friends during game play? What is the best game experience you have had with friends?
11. Have you played a Roblox Event? Have you won any event items? 
12. Have you traded any items in Roblox? How did you go about making sure the trade was fair?
13. If someone younger than you is about to sign up for a Roblox account, how would you teach them to be safe while they play?
14. What would you rate the game out of 10? Who would you recommend the game to?
15. Summarise Roblox in three words.

Check out the transmediation stockists… (Now that I have a bit more of a clue, I will likely be buying a few gift cards for my nephews to thank them for their help with writing this post!).

Popular retailers:

Big W

Target

EB Games

JB HI-FI

A little bit of help if you have no idea what this post is about:

What is Roblox? Why do people play it?

2020 Roblox Trailer

2019 Roblox Trailer

How Roblox Became A $30 Billion company

Common Sense Media - Parents' Ultimate Guide to Roblox

Reference List

Buckingham, D. (2013). Beyond technology: Children's learning in the age of digital culture. Polity Press.

CNBC. (2021, February 13). #CNBC How Roblox Became a $30 Billion Company. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXV9RV0s5pA 

D’Anastasio, C. (2020). On Roblox, Kids Learn It’s Hard to Earn Money Making Games. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/on-roblox-kids-learn-its-hard-to-earn-money-making-games/ 

Dowdall, C. (2009). Masters and critics: Children as producers of online digital texts. In V. Carrington & M. Robinson (Eds.), Digital Literacies: Social learning and classroom practices (pp. 43-61). Sage.

Family Zone. (2021). Roblox: What parents must know about this dangerous game for kids. Family Zone. https://www.familyzone.com/anz/families/blog/roblox-parents-review 

Fiske, J. (2010). Understanding Popular Culture. Routledge.

I Am Your Target Demographic. (2021, April 8). I Am Your Target Demographic – What is Roblox? Why do people play it? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2pLJiptzA

Johnson, S. (2005). Everything Bad Is Good For You: How Today’s Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter. Riverhead Books.

Kuhlthau, C. C., Maniotes, L. K., & Caspari, A. K. (2015). Guided Inquiry; learning in the 21^st Century (2^nd ed.). Libraries Unlimited.