‘Roblox’ refutes child exploitation claims
nme.comRoblox studio boss Stefano Corazza has hit back at claims the gaming platform “exploits” children.In 2021 a video from People Make Games claimed that online game creation system Roblox was taking advantage of its young playerbase by selling them the dream that they could become entrepreneurs with their creations and earn “serious cash” in the process.Anyone can create a Roblox experience via the platform’s ‘Create’ tool, which also offers tutorials and support.
However, game developers are paid with in-game currency Roblux, with Roblox taking a 75.5 per cent cut of all profits. By comparison, Steam takes 30 per cent.The documentary went on to claim that Roblox is designed to “turn its young users into workers”.In a new interview with Eurogamer, Corazza has admitted: “You can say, ‘Okay, we are exploiting child labour,’ right?
Or, you can say we are offering people anywhere in the world the capability to get a job and an income.”“I can be a 15-years-old living in a slum in Indonesia, and with just a laptop, I can create something, make money and then sustain my life,” he added.“Our average game developer is in their 20s.
But of course there are people that are teenagers, and we have hired some teenagers that had millions of players on the platform.
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