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Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

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Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#2
Great video! I have 3 kids who are obsessed with Roblox. It's a lot of fun but we don't spend any money on it. Coincidentally my 13yo just took an interest in making Roblox games this week. She figured it all out on her own and got something published. I personally dabble with some Unity dev so if course I encouraged it. It's fun to make stuff for others. 2 players tried it.

But, this video has given me a lot to think about. I always wondered what the marketplace actually looked like. I tried to set reasonable time expectations for my daughter and make sure she was doing this more for fun and learning than to make money. This has soured my perception of the company.

Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#3
I feel like this is similar to the criticism that YouTube received in its early days. And I wonder if the problem is with the platforms that offer an opportunity for self-exploitation or with our work culture. Because self-exploitation is a much more widespread issue and transcends platforms and workplaces. In my opinion, it's the "rags to riches" and hustle mindset that's at fault. So I'd rather blame Tony Robbins and Tim Ferry than Roblox.

Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#4
post #2

Great video! I have 3 kids who are obsessed with Roblox. It's a lot of fun but we don't spend any money on it. Coincidentally my 13yo just took an interest in making Roblox games this week. She figured it all out on her own and got something published. I personally dabble with some Unity dev so if course I encouraged it. It's fun to make stuff for others. 2 players tried it. But, this video has given me a lot to thin…

Queued the video for watching tonight, but I heard about a local middle school kid making more than his parents by making roblox mods (being one of few top creators).

I hope it gets more kids to try programming, but If you can get compensated it sucks if it isn't reasonable and fair.

Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#5

I feel like this is similar to the criticism that YouTube received in its early days. And I wonder if the problem is with the platforms that offer an opportunity for self-exploitation or with our work culture. Because self-exploitation is a much more widespread issue and transcends platforms and workplaces. In my opinion, it's the "rags to riches" and hustle mindset that's at fault. So I'd rather blame Tony Robbins a…

It's one thing to exploit adults as platform tech companies do but it's fairly low to exploit kids.

Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#6
There is no problem. The only valuable model that is interesting to big VC is exploitation and dark patterns design UX practices. The big money. Basically it is all the same, from Medium to Roblox, who builds the biggest hole for user generated content wins. Recently I read on HN, one blogger was happy that is not self-hosting and shared that there is no way to have discovery without a big platform as Medium.

Users like to be exploited, big tech likes to exploit. I see harmonious parasitism in action and UX design from Hell.

P.S. Message for the down-voters: I don't give a flying f about your reaction. I will go a step further: I consider this as an actual positive. Critical thinking is not popular but for me it has enormous value.

Re: Roblox Exploits Young Game Developers [video]

#8
post #6

There is no problem. The only valuable model that is interesting to big VC is exploitation and dark patterns design UX practices. The big money. Basically it is all the same, from Medium to Roblox, who builds the biggest hole for user generated content wins. Recently I read on HN, one blogger was happy that is not self-hosting and shared that there is no way to have discovery without a big platform as Medium. Users l…

Let me make sure I’m clear on your argument: you think it’s just great for the labor of children to be exploited for the benefit of shareholders?

If this is correct, then you’re not actually a “critical thinker”, just a horrible person.

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