Key Takeaways

  • Roblox’s new ‘Build’ feature enables game creation via text prompts.
  • Concerns arise over the quality and competition of AI-generated games.
  • Public alpha testing begins on July 28 for users in New Zealand.
  • Roblox is also developing AI agents for playtesting and analytics.

New Feature Launch

Roblox has rolled out a new feature called ‘Build,’ allowing users to create games directly from their mobile devices using artificial intelligence. This tool is designed for those without programming skills, enabling them to transform simple text prompts into playable games.

How It Works

For instance, a user can input a prompt like, “Let’s make a cozy adventure game set in a dense forest,” and the Build feature will generate a basic version of the game. Users can then tweak the game and share it with friends.

Concerns from the Community

While the feature aims to democratize game development, it has sparked concerns among developers and players. Critics worry that the ease of creating games through text prompts may lead to a surge of low-quality and repetitive content. This could intensify competition on the platform, as creators would face not only other developers but also rapidly produced AI-generated games.

According to a survey from this year’s Game Developers Conference, 52% of industry professionals believe that generative AI negatively impacts the gaming sector.

Roblox’s Response

To mitigate these issues, Roblox plans to rank AI-generated games based on player retention. Games that do not attract players will not be prominently featured, ensuring that quality remains a priority. The company stated, “Our discovery systems are designed to highlight games with long-term retention, which doesn’t include AI slop.”

Testing and Future Developments

The Build feature will enter public alpha testing on July 28, available to users in New Zealand aged nine and older who have verified their age. Users aged 16 and up will be able to publish their creations globally. A free version will be offered alongside paid options.

In addition to Build, Roblox is developing AI agents to assist creators with playtesting and analytics, with these features expected to launch in the coming months. The company is also working on an AI foundation model for generating 3D game assets and a chatbot to support developers throughout the game-building process.

Recent Changes

This announcement follows Roblox’s decision to discontinue “Roblox Connect,” an avatar-based video-calling feature introduced in 2023.