Roblox Corporation

{{Infobox company

| name = Roblox Corporation

| logo = File:Roblox Logo 2022.svg

| image = 2850 S. Delaware Street.jpg

| image_caption = Headquarters in San Mateo, July 2024

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2022

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{NYSE|RBLX}} (Class A)|Russell 1000 component}}

| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US7710491033}}

| industry = Video games

| founded = {{Start date and age|2004}} in Menlo Park, California, U.S.

| founders = {{Unbulleted list|David Baszucki|Erik Cassel}}

| hq_location_city = San Mateo, California

| hq_location_country = U.S.

| key_people = David Baszucki (CEO)

| products = Roblox, Guilded, Bloxlink

| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|3.60 billion|link=yes}} (2024)}}

| operating_income = {{nowrap|{{increasenegative}} {{US$|−1.06 billion}} (2024)}}

| net_income = {{nowrap|{{increasenegative}} {{US$|−935 million}} (2024)}}

| assets = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|7.18 billion}} (2024)}}

| equity = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|221 million}} (2024)}}

| num_employees = 2,474 (2024)

| subsid = {{Unbulleted list|Bash Video|Guilded, Inc.|Loom.ai|PacketZoom|Hamul|TriplePlay|Byfron Technologies|Speechly|Imbellus, Inc.|Jido, Inc.}}

| website = {{URL|https://corp.roblox.com/}}

| footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1315098/000131509825000033/rblx-20241231.htm |title=US SEC: 2024 Form 10-K Roblox Corporation. |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 18, 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025 }}

}}

File:970 Park Place.jpg]]

Roblox Corporation ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|oʊ|b|l|ɒ|k|s}} {{respell|ROH|bloks}}) is an American video game developer based in San Mateo, California. Founded in 2004 by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel, the company is the developer of Roblox, which was released in 2006. {{as of|2024|12|31|df=US}}, the company employs over 2,400 people.

History

File:TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2018 - day 1 (30633298878).jpg, in 2018]]

Roblox Corporation was founded by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel. Baszucki had previously founded Knowledge Revolution, an educational software company, in 1989. With him and Cassel, the company developed Interactive Physics, a 2D physics simulation released in the same year.{{cite web |url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/07/roblox-youtube-free-download-corporation-baszucki-cassel-nerfmodder/ |title=Roblox: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |first=Jack |last=Fennimore |date=July 24, 2017 |website=Heavy.com |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129032712/https://heavy.com/games/2017/07/roblox-youtube-free-download-corporation-baszucki-cassel-nerfmodder/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/11/19/user-generated-game-platform-roblox-files-for-ipo/ |title=Roblox files for IPO, a first for user-generated game platforms |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=November 19, 2020 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126235910/https://venturebeat.com/2020/11/19/user-generated-game-platform-roblox-files-for-ipo/ |url-status=live}} Knowledge Revolution followed this up with Working Model, a software that simulated mechanical devices. The company was eventually purchased in December 1998 for {{US$|20 million|link=yes}} by MSC Software, where Baszucki and Cassel obtained senior positions.{{cite web |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/who-are-the-two-creators-of-roblox |title='Roblox' Has Been Captivating Players for Over 13 Years, and It All Started With Two Men |first=Mustafa |last=Gatollari |date=March 6, 2020 |website=Distractify |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128050141/https://www.distractify.com/p/who-are-the-two-creators-of-roblox |url-status=live}} Baszucki was the company's vice president and general manager from 2000 until 2002, when he left MSC Software to establish Baszucki & Associates, an angel investment firm. He and Cassel founded Roblox Corporation in 2004. Working from an office in Menlo Park, California, they began preliminary work on the video game DynaBlocks, which was launched in a beta state later that year. The game's name was changed to Roblox in 2005, and the game was formally released on September 1, 2006.

Cassel died from cancer on February 11, 2013. In December 2013, Roblox Corporation had 68 employees, which it raised to 163 by December 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2017/03/14/roblox-has-raised-92-million-to-expand-its-gaming-platform/ |title=Roblox Has Raised $92 Million To Expand Its Gaming Platform |first=Alex |last=Knapp |date=March 14, 2017 |website=Forbes |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112114217/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2017/03/14/roblox-has-raised-92-million-to-expand-its-gaming-platform/ |url-status=live}} The company secured an {{US$|82 million|long=no}} investment in March 2017 through a round of funding led by Meritech Capital Partners and Index Ventures.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/roblox-corporation-snags-92-million-investment-round/ |title=Roblox Corporation snags $92 million investment round |author=MCV Staff |date=March 15, 2017 |magazine=MCV/Develop |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041903/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/roblox-corporation-snags-92-million-investment-round/ |url-status=live}} Eyeing international expansion, Roblox Corporation established Roblox International and hired Chris Misner as its president in May 2018.{{cite web |url=https://kidscreen.com/2018/05/28/roblox-plots-international-growth-with-former-apple-exec/ |title=Roblox plots international growth with ex-Apple exec |first=Jeremy |last=Dickson |date=May 28, 2018 |website=Kidscreen |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117163155/http://kidscreen.com/2018/05/28/roblox-plots-international-growth-with-former-apple-exec/ |url-status=live}} Under Misner, Roblox was launched in Chinese (in partnership with Tencent), German, and French in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/29/eyeing-an-entry-into-china-roblox-enters-strategic-partnership-with-tencent/ |title=Eyeing an entry into China, Roblox enters strategic partnership with Tencent |first=Sarah |last=Perez |date=May 29, 2019 |website=TechCrunch |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218021821/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/29/eyeing-an-entry-into-china-roblox-enters-strategic-partnership-with-tencent/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c1ed8dee-57a5-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e |title=Roblox games platform plans European expansion |first=Aliya |last=Ram |date=April 8, 2019 |website=Financial Times |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919173009/https://www.ft.com/content/c1ed8dee-57a5-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e |url-status=live}} By September 2018, Roblox Corporation had hired Dan Williams (previously of Dropbox) to move Roblox from a third-party cloud computing service to a proprietary one.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2018/09/17/how-roblox-is-training-the-next-generation-of-gaming-entrepreneurs/ |title=How Roblox Is Training The Next Generation Of Gaming Entrepreneurs |first=Alex |last=Knapp |date=September 18, 2018 |website=Forbes |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130005018/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2018/09/17/how-roblox-is-training-the-next-generation-of-gaming-entrepreneurs/ |url-status=live}} In October 2018, the company acquired PacketZoom, a developer of mobile network optimization software. PacketZoom, including its employees, founder, and chief technology officer Chetan Ahuja, was merged into Roblox Corporation.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2018/10/11/social-gaming-platform-roblox-acquires-mobile-performance-startup-packetzoom/?sh=2626e46817f7 |title=Social Gaming Platform Roblox Acquires Mobile Performance Startup PacketZoom |first=Alex |last=Knapp |date=October 11, 2018 |website=Forbes |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228182015/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2018/10/11/social-gaming-platform-roblox-acquires-mobile-performance-startup-packetzoom/?sh=2626e46817f7 |url-status=live}}

A "series G" funding round in February 2020, led by Andreessen Horowitz, raised {{US$|150 million|long=no}} for Roblox Corporation and valued the company at {{US$|4 billion|long=no}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo-exclusive-idUSKBN26M7EA |title=Exclusive: U.S. gaming platform Roblox prepares to go public – sources |first1=Anirban |last1=Sen |first2=Joshua |last2=Franklin |first3=Krystal |last3=Hu |date=October 1, 2020 |website=Reuters |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202191909/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo-exclusive-idUSKBN26M7EA |url-status=live}} By October 2020, Roblox Corporation had begun planning to become a public company, evaluating whether to perform a regular initial public offering (IPO) or use the less common method of a direct listing. Later that month, the company filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prepare an IPO worth {{US$|1 billion|long=no}}, looking to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the ticker symbol "RBLX".{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo/roblox-ipo-filing-shows-revenue-surge-as-gaming-thrives-during-pandemic-idUKKBN27Z374 |title=Roblox IPO filing shows revenue surge as gaming thrives during pandemic |first=Anirban |last=Sen |date=November 19, 2020 |website=Reuters |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228182015/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo/roblox-ipo-filing-shows-revenue-surge-as-gaming-thrives-during-pandemic-idUKKBN27Z374 |url-status=live}} By this time, the company had more than 830 full-time employees and 1,700 "trust and safety agents".{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-11-20-roblox-files-for-ipo |title=Roblox files for IPO |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=November 20, 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222202104/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-11-20-roblox-files-for-ipo |url-status=live}} The company acquired Loom.ai, a company that creates 3D avatars from photographs, in December 2020.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/14/roblox-acquires-loom-ai-for-realistic-avatars-and-delays-ipo-to-2021/ |title=Roblox acquires Loom.ai for realistic avatars and delays IPO to 2021 |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=December 14, 2020 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510193703/https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/14/roblox-acquires-loom-ai-for-realistic-avatars-and-delays-ipo-to-2021/ |url-status=live}} In January 2021, Roblox Corporation announced that it would pursue a direct listing instead of an IPO.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo-idUSKBN29B30M |title=Gaming site Roblox valued at $30 bln, plans direct listing |first1=Joshua |last1=Franklin |first2=Anirban |last2=Sen |date=January 6, 2021 |website=Reuters |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205045215/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-roblox-ipo-idUSKBN29B30M |url-status=live}} The SEC had also requested that Roblox Corporation change how it reports the sales of its virtual currency, Robux.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-22-robox-to-begin-trading-shares-in-march |title=Roblox to begin trading shares in March |first=Eric |last=Van Allen |date=February 22, 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222202129/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-22-robox-to-begin-trading-shares-in-march |url-status=live}} In the same month, Altimeter Capital and Dragoneer Investment Group led a "series H" round of funding that valued the company at {{US$|29.5 billion|long=no}}. The NYSE approved the direct listing of Roblox Corporation's class A shares by February 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/122908/roblox-rblx-direct-listing-set-for-march-after-two-ipo-delays |title=Roblox (RBLX) direct listing set for March after two IPO delays |first=Sam |last=Chandler |date=February 22, 2021 |website=Shacknews |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223123922/https://www.shacknews.com/article/122908/roblox-rblx-direct-listing-set-for-march-after-two-ipo-delays |url-status=live}} The shares began trading on March 10 that year, with the initial buys giving the company an estimated {{US$|41.9 billion|long=no}} valuation.{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90613454/roblox-goes-public-what-to-know-as-rblx-stock-debuts-on-the-nyse |title=Roblox goes public: What to know as RBLX stock debuts on the NYSE |first=Michael |last=Grothaus |date=March 10, 2021 |website=Fast Company |access-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310154132/https://www.fastcompany.com/90613454/roblox-goes-public-what-to-know-as-rblx-stock-debuts-on-the-nyse |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/10/roblox-goes-public-at-42-2-billion-valuation-in-direct-listing/ |title=Roblox goes public at $41.9 billion valuation in direct listing |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=March 10, 2021 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310194903/https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/10/roblox-goes-public-at-42-2-billion-valuation-in-direct-listing/ |url-status=live}} In August 2021, Roblox Corporation acquired the online communication platforms Bash Video and Guilded, paying {{US$|90 million|long=no}} in cash and stock for the latter.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/11/roblox-acqui-hires-jim-greers-bash-video-platform/ |title=Roblox acqui-hires Jim Greer's Bash Video platform |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=August 11, 2021 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816185008/https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/11/roblox-acqui-hires-jim-greers-bash-video-platform/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/386872/Roblox_now_owns_online_communications_platform_Guilded.php |title=Roblox now owns online communications platform Guilded |first=Bryant |last=Francis |date=August 16, 2021 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816184529/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/386872/Roblox_now_owns_online_communications_platform_Guilded.php |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001315098/b80ee630-5ce5-4b4c-8b84-d0141f383f25.pdf |title=Form 10-Q |date=30 June 2021 |publisher=Roblox Corporation |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314175928/https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001315098/b80ee630-5ce5-4b4c-8b84-d0141f383f25.pdf |url-status=live }}

In March 2023, Roblox and Guidewire Software agreed to switch office buildings under sublease agreements, with Roblox moving to the former Guidewire building at Bay Meadows, with {{cvt|180000|ft2}} of office space, and Guidewire moving to the former {{cvt|80000|ft2|adj=on}} Roblox building near the Franklin Templeton campus.{{cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/sanfrancisco/2023/03/03/roblox-subleases-larger-headquarters-in-san-mateo/ |title=Roblox subleases larger headquarters in San Mateo |author=Naidu, Pawan |date=March 3, 2023 |work=The Real Deal |url-access=limited |access-date=22 October 2023 |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024040055/https://therealdeal.com/sanfrancisco/2023/03/03/roblox-subleases-larger-headquarters-in-san-mateo/ |url-status=live }} In July 2023, Roblox Corporation rolled out a "Roblox Partner Program" with seven initial developers partnered to create playable Roblox experiences for brands interested in advertising through Roblox's platform as a medium.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander |date=2023-07-11 |title=How Roblox's Partner Program is helping the platform assert its legitimacy as a marketing channel |url=https://digiday.com/marketing/how-robloxs-partner-program-is-helping-the-platform-assert-its-legitimacy-as-a-marketing-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711205712/https://digiday.com/marketing/how-robloxs-partner-program-is-helping-the-platform-assert-its-legitimacy-as-a-marketing-channel/ |archive-date=2023-07-11 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Anthony |date=2023-08-07 |title=Through The Portal: A Peek Inside Roblox's Partner Program |url=https://www.adexchanger.com/gaming/through-the-portal-a-peek-inside-robloxs-partner-program/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807053426/https://www.adexchanger.com/gaming/through-the-portal-a-peek-inside-robloxs-partner-program/ |archive-date=2023-08-07 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=AdExchanger |language=en-US}}

In August 2023, Roblox unveiled plans to create an in-game career center, where players can turn up for events, podcasts, and conversations with actual employees.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2023-08-11 |title=Roblox to begin holding job interviews within Roblox |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/roblox-to-begin-holding-job-interviews-within-roblox |access-date=2024-03-03 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} A month later, Roblox laid off 30 employees in its talent acquisition, citing a slowdown in hiring.{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Rita |date=2023-09-21 |title=Roblox cuts 30 on talent acquisition team as hiring slows |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/21/roblox-cuts-30-on-talent-acquisition-team-as-hiring-slows/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

Reception

= Accolades =

Roblox Corporation has been ranked on Pocket Gamer.biz{{'}}s top lists of mobile game developers, placing sixth in 2018,{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/68809/top-50-mobile-game-developers-of-2018/entry/6/ |title=Top 50 Mobile Game Developers of 2018 |date=August 21, 2018 |website=Pocket Gamer.biz |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003191523/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/68809/top-50-mobile-game-developers-of-2018/entry/6/ |url-status=live}} eighth in 2019,{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/71427/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2019/entry/8/ |title=The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2019 |date=October 1, 2019 |website=Pocket Gamer.biz |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003191523/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/71427/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2019/entry/8/ |url-status=live}} and sixth in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/74284/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2020/entry/6/ |title=The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2020 |date=September 8, 2020 |website=Pocket Gamer.biz |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228182018/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/list/74284/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2020/entry/6/ |url-status=live}} Fortune featured it as one of the best small and medium-sized workplaces in the San Francisco Bay Area, placing it sixteenth in 2019 and fortieth in 2021.{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2019/02/28/best-companies-bay-area-2019/ |title=The 70 Best Companies to Work For in the Bay Area |date=February 28, 2019 |website=Fortune |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224161815/https://fortune.com/2019/02/28/best-companies-bay-area-2019/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7010789 |title=Working at Roblox |year=2021 |website=Great Place to Work |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117134332/https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7010789 |url-status=live}} In 2016 and 2017, Inc. ranked Roblox Corporation on its "Inc. 5000" list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2016 |title=Inc. 5000 2016 |year=2016 |website=Inc. |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929213818/https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2017 |title=Inc. 5000 2017 |year=2017 |website=Inc. |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923075224/https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2017 |url-status=live}} In 2020, Fast Company regarded it as the ninth-most innovative company in the world, as well as the most innovative in the gaming sector.{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020 |title=The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies in 2020 |year=2020 |website=Fast Company |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421195224/https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020 |title=The 10 most innovative gaming companies in 2020 |year=2020 |website=Fast Company |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421195224/https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020 |url-status=live}}

= Criticism =

{{Further information|Roblox#Alleged exploitative practices towards children}}

{{external media

|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers]

|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY Roblox Pressured Us to Delete Our Video. So We Dug Deeper.]

}}

On August 19, 2021, the YouTube channel People Make Games released the results of their investigation into the Roblox Corporation.{{cite magazine |last1=D'Anastasio |first1=Cecilia |title=On Roblox, Kids Learn It's Hard to Earn Money Making Games |url=https://www.wired.com/story/on-roblox-kids-learn-its-hard-to-earn-money-making-games/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |magazine=Wired |date=August 19, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913062207/https://www.wired.com/story/on-roblox-kids-learn-its-hard-to-earn-money-making-games/ |url-status=live }} In their video report, they allege the company exploits young video game developers by taking an outsized share (75.5%) of the revenue made from games on their platform.{{cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Rachel |title=Here's everything you need to know about Roblox, the gaming megaplatform making its own rules |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-roblox-the-gaming-megaplatform-making-its-own-rules/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=PC Gamer |date=11 October 2021 |language=en |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815215541/https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-roblox-the-gaming-megaplatform-making-its-own-rules/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Wille |first1=Matt |title=Roblox is tricking kids into underpaid game development |url=https://www.inputmag.com/gaming/roblox-is-tricking-kids-into-underpaid-game-development |access-date=18 December 2021 |magazine=Input |date=August 22, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925020403/https://www.inputmag.com/gaming/roblox-is-tricking-kids-into-underpaid-game-development |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Plunkett |first1=Luke |title=It's Shocking Just How Shady Roblox Actually Is |url=https://kotaku.com/its-shocking-just-how-shady-roblox-actually-is-1847522070 |website=Kotaku |access-date=18 December 2021 |date=August 19, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815215540/https://kotaku.com/its-shocking-just-how-shady-roblox-actually-is-1847522070 |url-status=live }} In a discussion with Axios, Roblox chief product officer (CPO) Manuel Bronstein responded by saying that Roblox intends to give more money to its community developers.{{cite news |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=Roblox outlines future for the virtual platform |url=https://www.axios.com/roblox-outlines-future-for-the-virtual-platform-c45d9941-2412-485c-8cad-863cbd88b360.html |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=Axios |date=October 15, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221063450/https://www.axios.com/roblox-outlines-future-for-the-virtual-platform-c45d9941-2412-485c-8cad-863cbd88b360.html |url-status=live }}

After the report's publication, Roblox asked People Make Games to retract the video.{{cite news |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=Roblox accused of being an unsafe environment for children |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-14-roblox-accused-of-being-unsafe-environment-for-children |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=Eurogamer |date=14 December 2021 |language=en |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217232341/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-14-roblox-accused-of-being-unsafe-environment-for-children |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Kyle |title=Roblox is facing accusations of being unsafe for children |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/roblox-facing-accusations-unsafe-children |access-date=18 December 2021 |work=USA Today |agency=For The Win |date=15 December 2021 |language=en |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218043641/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/12/roblox-facing-accusations-unsafe-children |url-status=live }} Instead, they released a follow-up video report which further outlined several child safety issues they felt were present in Roblox.{{cite web |last1=Gach |first1=Ethan |title=YouTubers Are Making Roblox Sound Even Shadier Than Before |url=https://kotaku.com/youtubers-are-making-roblox-sound-even-shadier-than-bef-1848206464 |website=Kotaku |access-date=18 December 2021 |language=en-US |date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818163733/https://kotaku.com/youtubers-are-making-roblox-sound-even-shadier-than-bef-1848206464 |url-status=live }}

Legal disputes

In June 2016, Cinemark Theatres filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation over trademark infringement. The plaintiff cited several user-created games within Roblox that recreated Cinemark locations, including the trademarked branding.{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160618/16093634745/cinemark-files-trademark-infringement-lawsuit-against-roblox-over-user-generated-content.shtml |title=Cinemark Files Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Roblox Over User-Generated Content |first=Tim |last=Cushing |date=June 22, 2016 |website=Techdirt |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102630/https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20160618/16093634745/cinemark-files-trademark-infringement-lawsuit-against-roblox-over-user-generated-content.shtml |url-status=live}}

In February 2018, YouTuber Kerstin Hoffmann, known as Keisyo, claimed that Roblox Corporation owed her {{US$|150,000|long=no}} because the company had stopped her from converting her 42 million Robux balance into real-world money for no given reason. In response, Roblox Corporation stated that she could not transfer her Robux because she had earned them through "fraudulent activities".{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/roblox-not-pay-youtuber-keisyo |title=YouTuber claims Roblox owe her $150,000 – they disagree |first=Vic |last=Hood |date=February 27, 2018 |website=PCGamesN |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925111818/https://www.pcgamesn.com/roblox/roblox-not-pay-youtuber-keisyo |url-status=live}}

In May 2021, an unnamed litigant filed a class-action lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, accusing the company of ripping off players with bogus purchases. Stating "The company's decision to sell first and 'moderate' later has obvious monetary benefit for Roblox, by the time defendant has deleted items from the Avatar Shop and users' inventories, it has already taken its 30% commission from the sale." Roblox Corporation said that they review all content submitted by developers through a multi-step review process before it appears on the platform.{{cite web |last=Burnson |first=Robert |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Roblox Accused in Suit of Cheating Kids With Bogus Purchases |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-26/roblox-accused-in-suit-of-ripping-off-kids-with-bogus-purchases |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531055110/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-26/roblox-accused-in-suit-of-ripping-off-kids-with-bogus-purchases |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |access-date=Sep 18, 2023 |publisher=Bloomberg News}} In May 2023, Roblox agreed to settle the suit for $10 million, in the form of a Robux refund to any users who bought an item before May 11, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Doe v. Roblox |url=https://www.classaction.org/media/doe-v-roblox-corporation-motion-prelim-settlement-approval.pdf |access-date=March 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Roblox $10 Million Content Deletion Settlement Gets Final Nod |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/roblox-10-million-content-deletion-settlement-gets-final-nod |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Bloomberg Law |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Doe v. Roblox Corporation - Home |url=https://robloxsettlement.com/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=robloxsettlement.com}}

In June 2021, the National Music Publishers' Association filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation for {{US$|200 million|long=no}}, accusing the company of infringing copyright laws. The complaint states, "Roblox actively preys on its impressionable user base and their desire for popular music, teaching children that pirating music is perfectly acceptable."{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/music-publishers-sue-roblox-for-letting-game-creators-use-songs-11623271976 |title=Music Publishers Sue Roblox for Letting Game Creators Use Unlicensed Songs |first=Anne |last=Steele |date=May 26, 2021 |website=Wall Street Journal |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609222439/https://www.wsj.com/articles/music-publishers-sue-roblox-for-letting-game-creators-use-songs-11623271976 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2021 |title=COMPLAINT FOR DIRECT COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AGAINST DEFENDANT ROBLOX CORPORATION |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912.1.0_1.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224112909/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912/gov.uscourts.cacd.822912.1.0_1.pdf |url-status=live }} Roblox Corporation responded to the lawsuit by contending that they "do not tolerate copyright infringement" and expressing an intent to contest the lawsuit.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-response-lawsuit-nmpa-copyright-infringement-1234993526/ |title=Roblox Responds to Music Publishers $200 Million Copyright-Infringement Lawsuit |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=June 10, 2021 |website=Variety |access-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628233706/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-response-lawsuit-nmpa-copyright-infringement-1234993526/ |url-status=live}}

On September 27, 2021, Roblox and NMPA announced they had reached an agreement that "settles claims filed by NMPA members [and] offers an industry-wide opt-in open to all eligible NMPA publishers," settling the lawsuit.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-national-music-publishers-association-nmpa-settle-copyright-lawsuit-1235075154/ |title=Roblox and National Music Publishers Association Settle $200 Million Copyright Lawsuit |first=Jem |last=Aswad |date=September 27, 2021 |website=Variety |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815223952/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/roblox-national-music-publishers-association-nmpa-settle-copyright-lawsuit-1235075154/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2021, Roblox Corporation filed a $1.65 million lawsuit against YouTuber Benjamin Robert Simon, also known online as Ruben Sim. The complaint states a breach of contract, "cyber-bullying and harassing Roblox employees and executives" and "posting false and misleading terrorist threats" during the Roblox Developer Conference 2021 which led to it being temporarily shut down.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/24/22800526/roblox-lawsuit-benjamin-robert-simon-ruben-sim-harassment-rdc-shutdown-terrorism |title=Roblox sues YouTuber for temporarily shutting down conference with fake terrorist threat |first=Adi |last=Robertson |date=November 24, 2021 |website=The Verge |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125165358/https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/24/22800526/roblox-lawsuit-benjamin-robert-simon-ruben-sim-harassment-rdc-shutdown-terrorism |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2021 |title=ROBLOX CORPORATION v. BENJAMIN ROBERT SIMON, a/k/a RUBEN SIM - COMPLAINT |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.388387/gov.uscourts.cand.388387.1.0.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224112909/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.388387/gov.uscourts.cand.388387.1.0.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/22799362/roblox-sues-banned-cybermob-leader-for-terrorizing-the-platform-its-developers |title=Roblox sues banned 'cybermob leader' for terrorizing the platform, its developers |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=November 24, 2021 |website=Polygon |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125231723/https://www.polygon.com/22799362/roblox-sues-banned-cybermob-leader-for-terrorizing-the-platform-its-developers |url-status=live}} On January 16, 2022, the lawsuit was settled by both parties which required Simon to pay $150,000 to Roblox Corporation. With the lawsuit settled, Simon is permanently banned from accessing Roblox. Due to it being resolved out of court, a legal precedent for other users who may evade IP bans or violate a game's terms of service was not established.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/us-court-bans-youtuber-accused-of-harassing-roblox-staff-and-terrorist-threats-3145202 |title=US court bans Youtuber accused of harassing 'Roblox' staff and terrorist threats |first=Jack |last=Grimshaw |date=January 24, 2022 |website=NME |access-date=February 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125101920/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/us-court-bans-youtuber-accused-of-harassing-roblox-staff-and-terrorist-threats-3145202 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=21190191-roblox-v-simon-settlement/ |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21190191-roblox-v-simon-settlement/}}

In October 2022, a lawsuit was filed by a parent in the San Francisco Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that Roblox connected their daughter with predators, who sexually exploited her, coercing her to send sexually explicit photos to them on Discord and Snapchat, who were also named in the lawsuit.{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |date=2022-10-06 |title=Roblox sued for allegedly enabling young girl's sexual, financial exploitation |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/10/roblox-sued-for-allegedly-enabling-young-girls-sexual-financial-exploitation/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=C.U. v. Roblox Corp. |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23126384-robloxdiscordfacebooksnap-suit-filed-cu-su-complaint-10_4_22-filed |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=documentcloud.org}}

In August 2023, a class-action lawsuit was brought against Roblox Corporation. The lawsuit alleges that Roblox profited off of minors when they bought Robux to participate in third-party gambling rings, violating the RICO act.{{Cite web |title=Roblox Accused of Concocting Illegal Gambling Ring for Minors |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/roblox-accused-of-concocting-illegal-gambling-ring-for-minors |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Bloomberg Law |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Colvin v. Roblox Corporation |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67694746/1/colvin-v-roblox-corporation/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us}}