In case you missed it, Roblox introduced a new feature in September, Roblox Connect, allowing players to engage in live calls within the game.
The feature unveiled at the Roblox Developers Conference 2023 in September has drawn criticism over potential safety risks, especially concerning the platform's younger user base.
With the virtual call feature, players can use their cameras to capture motion and create virtual avatars for real-time communication with others in the shared gaming environment.
The Problem with Roblox Connect
Despite the excitement surrounding Roblox, concerns quickly emerged within the community, given the feature's resemblance to traditional voice calls and the fact that Roblox primarily caters to a younger audience.
Roblox Connect was officially launched via an update, accompanied by an announcement on the official blog and social media platforms. The report stated, "Today we're launching Roblox Connect, a technology enabling 13+ users to connect 1:1 in a shared environment; we can't wait to see how creators will implement it within their experiences!"
However, the feature was met with a massive wave of negative feedback and valid concerns as players and the wider gaming community expressed worries about its potential risks. Some users questioned the decision to introduce a feature that seemed to shift the platform's focus from gaming to social interaction.
"Roblox becoming more and more like a social platform than a place to create games. This ain't gonna end well," remarked one user, with others echoing similar sentiments.
Read Also: YouTube Musician Plays 100-Year-Old Church Organ Using Game Boy, and It Sounds Amazing
A Dangerous Tool
As Dexerto reports, a significant portion of the criticism focused on the safety of children using the in-game feature. Despite the developers setting an age restriction of "13+," concerns were raised about the potential for exploitation by predators.
Users suggested that rather than introducing features like Roblox Connect, the platform should focus on enhancing safety measures to protect its younger user base.
"This is a bad idea Roblox, and especially on your platform because this is where most predators are coming from, and it makes it way easier for predators to prey on children," expressed another concerned user.
The Roblox Connect feature allows users to call friends and engage in conversations as avatars within a shared immersive space. The technology behind Connect is open-sourced, empowering creators to integrate synchronous voice and avatar communication into new or existing experiences on the platform.
As of the latest data, the feature has already garnered over 300,000 visits and boasts more than 900 online users, showcasing a significant level of interest despite the controversy.
It is important to note that 67% of users are under the age of 16, and organizations have warned that children may encounter inappropriate content on Roblox, such as violence and profanity, as well as sexual and racist content.
It remains to be seen how Roblox will address the concerns raised by its community.
Related Article: Sony's Latest Patent Unlocks Game Replay with Precise Moment Selection: No More Long Replays!