Roblox Opens Game Creation via AI, Developers Worry About Flooding Low Quality Games

Roblox application. (unplash)

JAKARTA - Roblox has launched a Build feature that allows users to create games from a mobile phone with just a text command. The feature makes the game creation process easier, but also raises concerns that the platform will be filled with low-quality and repetitive games.

TechCrunch quoted Friday, July 17, saying that the AI-based feature was announced by Roblox on Thursday. Users do not need to have programming experience to create an early version of a game.

Users simply write down the description of the desired game. For example, an order to create a casual adventure game in the middle of a dense forest. Build then generates an initial draft that can be changed and shared with friends.

"Powered by a variety of AI models, including open source models and Roblox-owned models, Build handles the mechanics of the game, the environment, the characters, the visual style, the sound, and more," Roblox wrote in a company blog.

Google, Microsoft, and Tencent have also developed similar tools. However, creating games via text commands is not entirely welcomed by the industry.

Critics argue that such ease can fill the platform with low-quality and repetitive games. Competition can also increase because creators are not only competing with other developers, but also with AI content that can be created much faster.

TechCrunch noted that the concern was also seen in the State of the Game Industry survey at this year's Game Developers Conference. As many as 52 percent of gaming industry professionals assessed that generative AI had a negative impact on the industry.

Roblox is trying to mitigate that risk through a rating system. AI-made games will be judged based on their ability to retain players, just like other games on the platform.

Games that are not played will not be prominently displayed and will be more difficult for users to find.

"Our discovery system is designed to highlight games that are able to retain players over the long term. That does not include AI garbage," said Roblox.

The company insists the quality of games on the main page will not change. Games that do not attract players will also be difficult to find.

Build will begin testing to the public on July 28. The initial phase is only available to users in New Zealand aged nine and over who have verified their age.

Users aged 16 and over can publish their games to users around the world. Roblox offers a free basic version as well as a number of paid options.

Roblox is also developing an AI agent to help creators test games and analyze game data. The feature is expected to be available in the coming months.

The company previously developed an AI model to create three-dimensional game assets and chatbots that help developers during the game creation process. Roblox also prepared a model that can generate three-dimensional scenes that are complete, editable, and can be played immediately from a single text command.

The Build announcement comes shortly after Roblox announced plans to discontinue Roblox Connect, an avatar-based video calling feature introduced in 2023.