Huge online game RobloxBoasting more than 200 million monthly players, it has emerged as a significant force in the gaming industry, challenging industry norms with its remarkable growth.
This has not come without controversy, particularly regarding the treatment of young developers. Critics charged Roblox Corp. RBLX to exploit these developers, some of whom are under 18, by paying them a fraction of their in-game earnings Robux, which are then sold at a higher price by Roblox.
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In an interview with Eurogamer, the head of Roblox Studio Stefano Corazza has responded to accusations of exploitation of young developers and gamers by presenting it as a global opportunity for employment and income generation.
“For example, you might say, ‘Okay, we’re exploiting child labor,’ right? Or you can say: we are offering people anywhere in the world the opportunity to find a job, and also an income,” Corazza said. “So, I can be 15 years old, in Indonesia, living in a slum, and then now, with just a laptop, I can create something, make money, and then sustain my life.”
Corazza then underlined that, according to his understanding, these young people “did not feel exploited”.
While it’s true that some developers on Roblox have earned significant sums, potentially enough to retire on, the vast majority of developers don’t make anywhere near that much money.
According to Kotaku, Roblox paid its creators less than 30% of what a game makes. If a person wants to cash out, he must wait until the game has earned a minimum of 100,000 Robux, equivalent to $1,000. However, after the Roblox fees and cut, the person would end up with $350. This has led to some younger developers never cashing out, feeling like they are losing too much and instead spending it on Roblox items.
It’s worth noting that a public relations representative spoke during the interview with Eurogamer to highlight that the majority of those earning on Roblox are over the age of 18. This disruption suggested a recognition that bragging about children’s earnings on the platform may not be the most effective way to fend off accusations of child labor exploitation.
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Photo: Stock photography by Alex on Shutterstock.