Roblox adds an AI game creation tool to its mobile app

In short: Roblox is launching a new mobile feature called Build that lets people create a basic game by typing what they want, without coding.

What happened

Roblox announced a new feature called “Build” for its mobile app. It uses AI, which means software that can generate content from instructions, to turn a single text prompt into a starting version of a game.

For example, a user could type something like, “Make a cozy adventure game set in a dense forest.” Build will generate an early version with things like the setting, characters, sound, and how the game works. The user can then edit it and share it with friends.

Roblox said the feature will start public “alpha” testing on July 28. An alpha is an early test version, like letting a small group try a new menu before the whole restaurant rolls it out. At first, it will be available to users in New Zealand who are age nine or older and have verified their age. Users 16 and older will be able to publish their creations globally. Roblox plans to offer a free basic version and paid options.

Roblox also addressed worries that easy AI tools could lead to lots of low-quality and repetitive games. The company said it will rank AI-made games based on how long people keep playing them, similar to how it ranks other games on the platform.

Why it matters

Roblox is trying to make game creation easier for more people, especially on phones. At the same time, it is signaling that it plans to control what gets promoted, so players are less likely to be flooded with games that few people actually want to play.

Source: TechCrunch AI