Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable • Hacker News Board

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#491

Post by darknavi » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:03 PM UTC

modeless wrote: post #483

darknavi wrote: post #479

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For transparency I lead the Minecraft Scripting team. You can purchase content that runs behavior packs from the store, but it's all through soft currency purchased with per-platform stores. Link to some of the content: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/catalog As for the "not as powerful as Roblox", we're working on it :)

Neat! And you can do those purchases inside the iOS app?

Yup! Soft currency (Minecoins) travel with you with your Microsoft account and can be used on what ever device you sign into (including iOS). You can also purchase more Minecoins in the game its self each platform.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#492

Post by celim307 » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:13 PM UTC

draebek wrote: post #414

mrmetanoia wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've mentioned this in other comments, but I sat in with my nephews on a Roblox session, then stayed after to check things out on my own. There's an astounding number of adults on that platform saying some of the most horrible things. The games are like you say, and there's some that are indeed the model of what I expected: games that kids and amateurs made with their tools. Car jump games. Simple platforming. Basic…

I struggle to understand why people are so toxic with chat in video games. I don't go to the supermarket, or even the bar and hear people just casually chatting about "who hates [racial slur]?" There's John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory, which says that if you give normal people anonymity and an audience then they become (let's call them) assholes. I feel that, in order to buy this, you must accept that t…

I'd argue its from attention seeking from lonely people online. Being a rage troll is the quickest way to get some kind of interaction, and being online means theres less consequences for it

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#493

Post by neilv » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:20 PM UTC

whoknew1122 wrote: post #335

GNOMES wrote: post #312

My kiddo has easily spent 500+ on Roblox across birthday/Xmas gift cards/chores. I can't stand that almost all of the games seem to have a pay to win aspect, or are heavily advertising every chance they get. As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play. Just drives him to keep playing and wanting more Robux. It's compounded when his favorite Youtubers…

> As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play. Just drives him to keep playing and wanting more Robux. It's compounded when his favorite Youtubers play... If there's a paid game your kid really likes, perhaps you can talk to his friend's parents and buy the friend a copy of the game. ...I say talking to the friend's parents first, because just giftin…

Excellent idea. Two additional reasons: (1) many parents would want veto power on what kids spent their time on and are exposed to, including video games; and (2) you could suggest quietly buying the game through the parents, to avoid complicating the kids' relationship with getting stuff.

Some other, more expensive, activities (e.g., tennis lessons together, when the family of one of the BFFs isn't affluent) are harder for more people to do this, but video games are relatively inexpensive.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#494

Post by akudha » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:29 PM UTC

draebek wrote: post #414

mrmetanoia wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've mentioned this in other comments, but I sat in with my nephews on a Roblox session, then stayed after to check things out on my own. There's an astounding number of adults on that platform saying some of the most horrible things. The games are like you say, and there's some that are indeed the model of what I expected: games that kids and amateurs made with their tools. Car jump games. Simple platforming. Basic…

I struggle to understand why people are so toxic with chat in video games. I don't go to the supermarket, or even the bar and hear people just casually chatting about "who hates [racial slur]?" There's John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory, which says that if you give normal people anonymity and an audience then they become (let's call them) assholes. I feel that, in order to buy this, you must accept that t…

One doesn't behave bad to someone stronger than them (or wealthier, or in a powerful position etc) because they know there will be consequences. One doesn't pick a fight in a bar or supermarket because they know there will be consequences.

What consequence is there for saying crappy things online, in a video game, especially playing with kids? At best one would get banned? Then go to some other site/game and repeat the same bad behavior.

The truly nicest people are those who are nice even when there is no one around to watch them.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#495

Post by afloyd » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:31 PM UTC

GNOMES wrote: post #312

My kiddo has easily spent 500+ on Roblox across birthday/Xmas gift cards/chores. I can't stand that almost all of the games seem to have a pay to win aspect, or are heavily advertising every chance they get. As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play. Just drives him to keep playing and wanting more Robux. It's compounded when his favorite Youtubers…

Former Roblox player that quit back in 2016, there used to be a free currency called Tickets which were a free currency you could get through various means, it was a lot more restrictive on what you could get, but it really boosted my enjoyment of the game. The moment they got rid of tix I quit, because I refused to spend any of my meager allowance on Roblox (also generally being bored of the game after years of playing.) Modern Roblox is really impressive, and really depressing. The things people make are incredibly cool, and they are rewarded incredibly poorly for it.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#496

Post by jspaetzel » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:32 PM UTC

mrmetanoia wrote: post #321

GNOMES wrote: post #312

My kiddo has easily spent 500+ on Roblox across birthday/Xmas gift cards/chores. I can't stand that almost all of the games seem to have a pay to win aspect, or are heavily advertising every chance they get. As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play. Just drives him to keep playing and wanting more Robux. It's compounded when his favorite Youtubers…

I've mentioned this in other comments, but I sat in with my nephews on a Roblox session, then stayed after to check things out on my own. There's an astounding number of adults on that platform saying some of the most horrible things. The games are like you say, and there's some that are indeed the model of what I expected: games that kids and amateurs made with their tools. Car jump games. Simple platforming. Basic…

This is nothing new or exclusive to Roblox, I recall this sort of language in every online gaming platform.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#497

Post by Verdex » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:32 PM UTC

draebek wrote: post #414

mrmetanoia wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've mentioned this in other comments, but I sat in with my nephews on a Roblox session, then stayed after to check things out on my own. There's an astounding number of adults on that platform saying some of the most horrible things. The games are like you say, and there's some that are indeed the model of what I expected: games that kids and amateurs made with their tools. Car jump games. Simple platforming. Basic…

I struggle to understand why people are so toxic with chat in video games. I don't go to the supermarket, or even the bar and hear people just casually chatting about "who hates [racial slur]?" There's John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory, which says that if you give normal people anonymity and an audience then they become (let's call them) assholes. I feel that, in order to buy this, you must accept that t…

My hypothesis of civilization is that even the smallest child with a blade may with sufficient luck grievously wound the mightiest warrior.

So there is a natural mechanism that tends people towards some level of civility when they're in meat space with each other.

Incivility towards the other not present is then about fitting in via tribalism. After all, those others could be dangerous so we had better make sure our tribe is all on the right page about mistrusting them.

Incivility towards the other who is present is then about an attempt at social dominance. "Don't mess with me because there are others like me who will avenge me." Perhaps.

Online there is only reputational harm and emotional harm. And when anonymous there is only emotional harm.

When the fear of an unexpected stabbing is truly removed we see the true heart of our fellows. Alas, not the most aesthetically pleasing view.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#498

Post by K0balt » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:36 PM UTC

draebek wrote: post #414

mrmetanoia wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've mentioned this in other comments, but I sat in with my nephews on a Roblox session, then stayed after to check things out on my own. There's an astounding number of adults on that platform saying some of the most horrible things. The games are like you say, and there's some that are indeed the model of what I expected: games that kids and amateurs made with their tools. Car jump games. Simple platforming. Basic…

I struggle to understand why people are so toxic with chat in video games. I don't go to the supermarket, or even the bar and hear people just casually chatting about "who hates [racial slur]?" There's John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory, which says that if you give normal people anonymity and an audience then they become (let's call them) assholes. I feel that, in order to buy this, you must accept that t…

The asshole fraction is surprisingly high. If all kinds are accounted for, anecdotally I would estimate that the number is between 1/4 and 1/3. If you’re on here, there is a good chance that you are an outlier in many respects, and normally that means that we tend to breathe rarified, filtered air…we don’t see it except online.

It helps to remember that for every college professor level person there is someone out there for whom tying his shoes is a significant cognitive challenge. For every really smart person out there, there is someone who is cognitively incapable of meaningfully participating in society.

The bell curve is a bitch.

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#499

Post by 2cynykyl » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:41 PM UTC

thomastjeffery wrote: post #392

GNOMES wrote: post #312

My kiddo has easily spent 500+ on Roblox across birthday/Xmas gift cards/chores. I can't stand that almost all of the games seem to have a pay to win aspect, or are heavily advertising every chance they get. As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play. Just drives him to keep playing and wanting more Robux. It's compounded when his favorite Youtubers…

Moderation is dead, and copyright is the knife.

I think I will love this quote if I knew what it meant. Care to elaborate?

Re: Roblox is the biggest game in the world, but is unprofitable

#500

Post by Arrath » Mon, Aug 19, 2024, 8:42 PM UTC

ecshafer wrote: post #471

erehweb wrote: post #345

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Total compensation means $700K, some of it being cash, some of it being stock. Company cars are pretty rare in the US, since basically everyone has a car already.

Company cars are really common in some industries, very rare in others. Ive never heard of it in tech, but I know people in sales that its just part of the gig.

I've not owned a car in 7 years thanks to my engineering gig coming with a work truck for getting around construction sites. Quite enjoy that aspect of it.