Roblox has unveiled plans for a new monthly subscription service, Roblox Plus.
Launching on April 30, Roblox Plus offers subscribers discounts on in-game items and avatars, as well as unspecified “exclusive” benefits for $5 per month.
Interestingly, Roblox said it will cover the discounts, so creators will “continue to make the same amount per-item,” and subscribers can spread the “same number of Robux across more items, allowing creators to earn more.”
Creators can also benefit from subscribers who use a game’s paid private server, and from implementing a new API that enables users to subscribe to Roblox Plus in-game.
“We’ve designed Roblox Plus to benefit the entire Roblox platform, including our creators,” Roblox explains. “While subscribers receive a 10% (or 20%) discount on in-game items, avatars, and other Robux purchases, Roblox will cover the discounts – meaning creators will continue to earn the same amount as they do today on any individual purchase. This also enables subscribers to spread the same number of Robux across more items, allowing creators to earn more.
The company added: “Since one of the features of Roblox Plus is that subscribers receive free, unlimited access to paid private servers, we also want to reward creators for supporting this. Creators can earn up to 100 Robux for every Roblox Plus subscriber who spends 60 or more cumulative minutes in a game’s paid private server over the course of 30 days. We will pay out up to five paid private servers where each Roblox Plus user spent the most time during the 30-day period.”
Creators will also benefit “directly” from Roblox Plus system, for when a user subscribes to Roblox Plus from within a game that implements the new API, that creator receives a bonus of 250 Robux per month.
“This bonus applies for each of the subscriber’s first three months so long as they remain subscribed, allowing creators to earn up to 750 Robux for every new subscriber they attract,” Roblox added. “Our goal is to provide a recurring revenue stream for creators. More and more creators are building businesses on Roblox, growing their teams, and developing games that expand what’s possible on the platform.”
As a result of the new subscription, Roblox Premium will be retired, and will not be accepting any further sign-ups. Existing members can “continue their membership” (it’s not clear how long for) and opt into a free one-month Plus trial that can be stacked on top of the Premium subscription. From May, the additional 10% Premium subscribers get for Robux purchases will be discontinued.
“Roblox Plus provides a new path for users who want to get more out of the platform and for creators looking for more ways to earn,” Roblox concluded. “This launch is only the beginning. We are already developing new benefits to ensure that Roblox Plus continues to evolve alongside the community and enables more fun for years to come.”
Roblox recently announced two new developer programs aimed at “supporting ambitious and curious creators eager to build and scale” – Roblox Incubator and Roblox Jumpstart. The former is a six-month program to support experienced teams “refine promising concepts of novel games into polished, scalable, commercially successful games,” with all programme participants gaining access to “Roblox subject matter experts who will provide mentorship and support, as well as help participants build an audience for their games.” From next year, it will begin charging creators who publish brand integrations in their experiences.
Last month, Gamesindustry.biz reported that Roblox “strongly disputed” claims it was failing children after officials in Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against the online platform Roblox for allegedly “failing to protect children from predatory behavior.” It follows similar action from the Australian government, which similarly demanded Roblox respond to concerns “regarding the exploitation of children on the Roblox service.”
