RED BANK, New Jersey (Achieve3000, April 16, 2021). "There's nothing to do around here," said no Robloxian, ever. They may just be pixels on a screen, but these active avatars live in their own virtual world, the Roblox "metaverse." There, the customizable characters—and the players they represent—have plenty of pastimes to pursue. They can ride roller coasters or drive racecars. They can hang out with friends or adopt a few neon unicorns. For a Roblox player, coming up with something to do isn't hard, but narrowing down all the options might be. The platform has millions of games!
Roblox also has an astronomical number of players. Worldwide, the online gaming platform has 150 million users logging in from 180 countries. Tweens make up the mightiest Roblox demographic. The company estimates that three-fourths of American kids between the ages of 9 and 12 visit the virtual playground every month.
How did Roblox become such a blockbuster? One secret to the platform's success is that people can invite friends to join them in games. Roblox has been around since 2004, but its popularity surged in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many schools and public places were closed, and face-to-face fun was risky. Instead of hanging out in person, friends met up in the metaverse to try out online adventures, like teaming up to run a pizza place or construct a palatial dream house. The socially-distanced interaction didn't stop there, either. Some users planned a birthday party on the platform or even rocked out at a rap concert.
But building mega mansions and going to events aren't the only ways that players can make their mark on the metaverse. In fact, you could say that on Roblox, players rule. That's because the games on the platform aren't produced by the company. They're created by players! Players can use Roblox Studio for free to make their own games. It's easier to use than most programming tools, so it's a good way for beginners to learn about coding. Once someone has programmed a game and uploaded it to the platform, other users can play it.
Creating a Roblox game can be richly rewarding…in more ways than one! To begin with, users get the gratification of seeing their high-tech handiwork online. Some creators get another kind of payoff, too. If they sell items within their games, or if their games become very popular, they get compensated in Robux. The online currency can be spent within the platform, for example to unlock game features or splurge on spiffy Robloxian fashions, but it can also be exchanged for money.
That's right, Robux can be converted—ka-ching—into real bucks. Roblox creators who have earned at least 100,000 Robux (worth $350) can start trading them in for cash. For many kids and teens, creating Roblox games is a fun way to make a little extra pocket money. But a few talented teens have raked in enough Robux to pay for college!
Building Roblox games can put players on a path to a profession, too. Many of the platform's top-earners are young adults who first started making Roblox games when they were kids. Experts say that the coding skills students develop in Roblox Studio can help prepare them for other computing careers, too. Roblox is more than a virtual playground for kids and teens—it's also a training ground for tomorrow's tech trendsetters.
Roblox, the online gaming platform, has become a blockbuster with millions of games and 150 million users worldwide. Its popularity soared during the Covid-19 pandemic as people turned to virtual interactions. One of the key reasons behind its success is the ability for players to invite friends to join them in games. This socially-distanced interaction allowed friends to meet up in the Roblox "metaverse" and engage in various online adventures.
What sets Roblox apart is that the games on the platform are not produced by the company but created by players themselves. Using the free Roblox Studio, players can make their own games, providing an opportunity for beginners to learn about coding. Once a game is created and uploaded, other users can play it.
Creating a Roblox game not only offers the satisfaction of seeing one's work online but can also be financially rewarding. Some creators earn compensation in Robux, the platform's online currency, by selling items within their games or gaining popularity. Robux can be exchanged for real money, allowing teenagers and kids to make some extra pocket money or even pay for college if they earn enough through their games.
Moreover, building Roblox games can also lead to a career path. Many of the platform's top-earners started making games on Roblox when they were kids and now work in the field of computing. The coding skills developed in Roblox Studio can be useful for other computing careers, making Roblox a training ground for future tech trendsetters.
Overall, Roblox has become a massive success due to its vast selection of games, social interaction features, and the ability for users to create and monetize their own games. With its popularity continuing to grow, Roblox is not just a virtual playground but also a platform that offers opportunities for entertainment, learning, and even a potential profession.
What is this Article primarily about?
A.The customizable characters called avatars on Roblox that live in their own virtual world and have many pastimes
B.How Roblox is a popular online gaming platform that allows players to develop valuable coding skills and earn Robux by creating their own games
C.The free and easy programming tool called Roblox Studio that is used by Roblox players to create games for the platform
D.How Roblox had a surge in popularity in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that made in-person fun too risky
B. How Roblox is a popular online gaming platform that allows players to develop valuable coding skills and earn Robux by creating their own games
In the last paragraph, the author presents the idea that Roblox can put players on the path to a profession in order to __________.
A.support the claim that creating games in Roblox makes kids experts in coding
B.emphasize that Roblox is responsible for creating top-earning game developers
C.emphasize that Roblox has kids develop the games on their platform
D.support the claim that creating games in Roblox can be rewarding
D. support the claim that creating games in Roblox can be rewarding
Which is the closest antonym for the word splurge?
A.barter
B.conserve
C.gamble
D.ponder
B.conserve
The Article says all of the following except __________.
A.Roblox players who create popular games have the potential to earn real money
B.Roblox hires pros to create games using the Roblox Studio programming tool
C.about three-fourths of American kids ages 9 to 12 play on Roblox every month
D.players from 180 countries make up the 150 million users who log on to Roblox
B.Roblox hires pros to create games using the Roblox Studio programming tool
Which of these is a statement of opinion?
A.Roblox lets players try out online adventures such as running a pizza place.
B.Meeting up on Roblox is the ideal option for socially-distanced interaction.
C.Robux is an online currency that can sometimes be exchanged for cash.
D.Players use Roblox Studio to create the millions of games on Roblox.