Why BAD Roblox Games are SO POPULAR
Summary
TLDRThe video script delves into the 'slop' games phenomenon on Roblox, critiquing their shallow gameplay and reliance on trends. It examines the platform's discoverability algorithm, which favors these games for their high engagement rates, driven by simple mechanics that capitalize on human psychology. The script also highlights the impact of Roblox's premium payouts on game design, incentivizing developers to create games that keep players logged in, often at the expense of quality and innovation. The critique extends to the nomination of one such game for a Roblox award, questioning the platform's values and the future of engaging, well-designed games on the platform.
Takeaways
- 😀 Roblox's discoverability algorithm favors 'slop' games, which are low-effort and trend-exploitative, similar to YouTube content farms.
- 🤔 The term 'slop games' is used to describe games that are poorly made and designed to capitalize on trends without a focus on gameplay longevity or enjoyment.
- 🎮 The video discusses the negative impact of 'slop games' on Roblox's ecosystem, suggesting they are detrimental to the platform's overall health.
- 🔄 Since the introduction of Roblox Premium and its payout system, game developers have been incentivized to create games that keep players engaged for longer periods to earn more.
- 💰 The monetization strategy of 'slop games' primarily focuses on earning premium payouts rather than selling in-game items or passes.
- 📈 Simulator games on Roblox are highlighted as being particularly effective at generating premium payouts due to their simple and addictive gameplay loops.
- 👎 The video criticizes 'Souls RNG' as an example of a game that epitomizes the exploitative nature of premium payouts, with its gameplay revolving around a slot machine mechanic.
- 🙄 There is a concern that games like 'Souls RNG', which encourage AFK (away from keyboard) play, are being rewarded with high player counts and premium payouts.
- 🏆 'Souls RNG' being nominated for a Roblox award highlights the irony and potential misalignment with what constitutes innovation and quality in game design.
- 🚀 The video advocates for promoting games with engaging gameplay and unique mechanics over those that simply exploit engagement for monetary gain.
- 👍 The creator expresses satisfaction in helping to bring attention to games that offer a better player experience, even if it's just to a small audience.
Q & A
What is the main issue discussed in the video script about Roblox games?
-The main issue discussed is the prevalence of 'slop' games on Roblox, which are characterized as low-effort, trend-exploiting games that are favored by Roblox's discoverability algorithm, leading to a negative impact on the platform's overall quality.
What is the term 'slop' used to describe in the context of Roblox games?
-The term 'slop' is used to describe games on Roblox that are seen as sloppy, rushed, and lazy, with little effort put into their longevity or enjoyment, often capitalizing on trends without offering substantial gameplay.
Why do slop games consistently appear on the front page of Roblox?
-Slop games appear on the front page of Roblox because they are designed to maximize player engagement and time spent in the game, which in turn increases premium payouts for the developers, benefiting both the developers and Roblox as a company.
What is the role of Roblox's discoverability algorithm in promoting slop games?
-The discoverability algorithm on Roblox is designed to push games that keep players engaged for longer periods to the front page, which inadvertently favors slop games that are optimized for this purpose.
How does the monetization feature 'premium payouts' influence game design on Roblox?
-Premium payouts incentivize developers to create games that keep players, especially those with a Roblox premium account, engaged for longer periods, as developers earn more based on the playtime of premium account holders.
What is the significance of the game 'Pet Simulator 99' in the context of this discussion?
-'Pet Simulator 99' is mentioned as an example of a game that has successfully exploited the premium payouts system, using questionable means to generate revenue and inspiring other developers to follow suit.
What is the difference between 'simulator' games and other types of games on Roblox according to the script?
-Simulator games are described as having simple and easy progression, which capitalizes on the human brain's natural desire for progress, making them highly effective at keeping players engaged and generating premium payouts.
Why does the script mention 'Beeswarm Simulator' as a positive example?
-'Beeswarm Simulator' is highlighted as a positive example because, despite being a simulator game, it offers interesting map progression, quests, and unlockables, showing that it has been developed with more care and attention to detail than most simulator games.
What is the main criticism of 'Souls RNG' as presented in the script?
-The main criticism of 'Souls RNG' is that it is a game designed purely to capitalize on premium payouts, with no substantial gameplay, and relies on players being AFK to generate revenue, which is seen as exploitative and detrimental to the platform.
What is the script's stance on the nomination of 'Souls RNG' for best new game at The Innovation Awards?
-The script views the nomination of 'Souls RNG' as ironic and problematic, as it represents a game that has innovated in exploiting the platform's monetization system rather than offering a quality gaming experience.
What alternative types of games does the script suggest deserve more attention on Roblox?
-The script suggests that games with fun gameplay, unique mechanics, and passion put into their development, such as 'Fighting and Pressure' and 'Block Tailes', deserve more attention as they offer a better gaming experience.
Outlines
🌈 The Psychology of Slop Games on Roblox
This paragraph delves into the prevalence of 'slop games' on Roblox, which are characterized by their simplistic and trend-exploitative nature. The speaker criticizes the discoverability algorithm on Roblox, which seems to favor these games, often found on the front page. The video aims to explore why these games are so popular and suggests that they are a result of developers trying to mimic the financial success of games like 'Pet Simulator 99', which uses questionable revenue generation tactics. The speaker also highlights the issue of simulator games on Roblox, which are often uninspired and lack depth, using 'Beeswarm Simulator' as an example of a well-crafted game in the genre.
🎰 The Impact of Premium Payouts on Game Design
The second paragraph examines the influence of Roblox's monetization feature, 'premium payouts', on game design. Since the introduction of this feature in 2019, developers have been incentivized to create games that keep players engaged for longer periods, as it directly impacts their earnings. The speaker argues that 'slop games', particularly simulators, are designed to exploit this system by offering simple progression that keeps players, especially those with a Roblox premium account, logged in and playing for extended periods. The paragraph also discusses the financial aspects of Roblox's revenue sharing and the use of 'devex' for developers to convert their earnings into real-world money, which involves a significant cut taken by Roblox.
🏆 The Controversy Surrounding 'Souls RNG' and Roblox's Innovation Awards
In the final paragraph, the speaker addresses the controversial nomination of 'Souls RNG' for the 'Best New Game' at the Roblox Innovation Awards. 'Souls RNG' is described as a game that epitomizes the exploitative design for premium payouts, with its gameplay revolving around a slot machine mechanism that encourages players to log in and leave the game running, thereby generating revenue for the developer. The speaker contrasts this with games that offer engaging and unique gameplay experiences, advocating for more attention to be given to such titles. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the state of Roblox's front page, where games that prioritize engagement and revenue over quality and innovation continue to dominate.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Roblox
💡Discoverability Algorithm
💡Slop Games
💡Pet Simulator 99
💡Simulator Games
💡Beeswarm Simulator
💡Premium Payouts
💡DevEx (Developer Exchange)
💡Souls RNG
💡Innovation Awards
💡AFK (Away From Keyboard)
Highlights
Roblox's discoverability algorithm often promotes 'slop' games, which are characterized by bright colors, pop culture references, and low-effort design.
Slop games are consistently on the front page of Roblox due to their ability to capitalize on trends and attract a younger audience.
The video discusses the psychology behind the popularity of slop games and their impact on Roblox's algorithm.
Pet Simulator 99 is cited as an example of a game that uses questionable revenue generation methods, influencing other developers.
The speaker criticizes simulator games on Roblox for their lack of originality and uninspired gameplay.
Beeswarm Simulator is praised for its engaging gameplay and attention to detail, setting it apart from other simulators.
Slop games are described as sloppy, rushed, and lazy, designed to capitalize on trends without consideration for game longevity.
The video explains how Roblox's monetization feature, premium payouts, has influenced game design to focus on keeping players engaged for longer periods.
Simulator games are particularly effective at generating premium payouts due to their simple and addictive progression mechanics.
The video compares Roblox's algorithm to YouTube's, emphasizing the importance of engagement and watch time for visibility.
Soul's RNG is presented as an extreme example of a game designed purely to exploit premium payouts through minimal gameplay.
The speaker argues that games like Souls RNG, which encourage AFK (away from keyboard) play, are detrimental to the Roblox platform.
The video criticizes the nomination of Souls RNG for best new game at The Innovation Awards, questioning the definition of innovation in game design.
The speaker advocates for promoting games with actual gameplay and passion, rather than those that rely on engagement farming.
The video concludes by expressing concern over the dominance of slop games on the Roblox front page and the niche status of engaging, well-designed games.
The speaker does not hate the slop games but is disappointed in the current state of game promotion and monetization on Roblox.
Transcripts
when you open roblox.com and look
through the catalog of games you are
most likely going to be fed A random
assortment of ey meltingly bright colors
pop culture references and skibbidy
toilet why well similar to YouTube
Roblox has a discoverability algorithm
and from my personal anecdotal
experience as well as hardcore numerical
evidence it's been shown time and time
again that Roblox favors what those of
us over the age of 13 like to call slop
games this video is going to explain the
psychology of slop games why are they
consistently on the front page of Roblox
and what are some potential ways to stop
this from happening because as stated in
my pet simulator 99 video lots of
developers are taking inspiration from
how that game makes buckets of money and
applying it to their own if you saw that
video you'll realize that this is a bad
thing because pet simulator 99 uses very
sketchy means of generating Revenue but
because it works so well young
developers think that this is the only
way to make their game a success right
but there's a layer underneath the front
page of Blox that when it is peeled back
reveals a much darker Sinister method of
serving us Roblox games on a silver
platter so let's dive in together and
figure out why if you've been watching
this channel for a while you'll know
that I don't particularly like a
specific genre of Roblox game called
simulators in my opinion they're almost
impressively uninspired to the point
where you can take gameplay from one
simulator and just copy and paste it to
every other simulator and call it a day
there're the YouTube content Farm of
Roblox in my opinion and they really do
not keep me engaged at all now that
doesn't mean all simulators are bad I
love beeswarm simulator not just because
it isn't pay to win but because it
actually has interesting map progression
decent quests and really cool
Unlockables on it clearly put a lot of
time into the small details in this game
because despite it still being
technically a simulator a game where you
walk and collect pollen to make honey
it's still got a more cohesive gameplay
Loop than like 99% of simulators these
days there's a lot of mechanics in place
that make this very simple concept a
little more complex and as a somewhat
older Roblox player I appreciate that
but I call slop games as such because
that's exactly what they are sloppy
rushed lazy attempting to capitalize off
of a trend and putting next to no effort
into the longevity or enjoyment of their
game in my video about the classic I
actually flashed a screenshot of a game
called Gat simulator well guess what
that's actually a real game but if you
look for it now they've since changed
that name now is gat simulator actually
an insanely based meta commentary on the
current geopolitical state of the world
while also trying to expose the shadow
government for pulling the strings on
the greater society that we live in yes
but my main point is that games like
this aren't healthy for Roblox as a
whole so if that's the case why do these
lazy low-effort Roblox quote unquote
experiences have so many players why
does Roblox continue to to push these
games to the front page and before you
say kids are dumb and will play anything
it's actually a lot more nuanced than
that I mean that is part of it but it's
not the only part okay whatever we're
moving on to explain this as simply as
possible I'm going to directly use
YouTube as an example here on YouTube a
video's whole success is determined by
the sum of its parts how many people
actually click on the thumbnail how long
do people watch the video do they
interact with the end screen and other
things like this are extremely important
for YouTube in determining whether or
not to show your video to more people
I've seen things you people wouldn't
believe YouTube's primary goal is to
keep you on YouTube and videos that do
this successfully will always beat out
videos that don't but we all know what
will help this video to get shown to
more people subscribing to my channel Mr
Beast thinks it's going to take an
entire freaking year to reach 50,000
Subs but I know we can get there before
then it's completely free and it really
helps videos like this one get shown to
more people so if you've been enjoying
this video so far what are you waiting
for click that subscribe button and
become a part of the action now back to
the video Roblox is exactly the same way
as YouTube Just with slightly different
metrics since around 2019 Roblox has had
this monetization feature called premium
payouts a way of paying developers in
Roo without ever actually selling
anything premium payouts work like this
the longer someone with a Roblox premium
account membership plays your game the
more premium payouts you receive this
has drastically changed the way gameplay
Loops are made on Roblox the only way
you can make money on Roblox before this
was to either sell ugc items like shirts
and pants and pants oh my God not again
dude but since Builder Club was nuked
into Oblivion and was replaced with
Roblox premium premium payouts have been
an extremely effective way to make a bag
on Roblox but premium payouts follow the
same 25% Revenue share that the rest of
Roblox has if we factor in devx so
Roblox is making 75% of that premium
payout and the developer is only making
25% this is standard across all of
Roblox if you want to actually turn your
Roo into real world money you have to
use devx which means not only suffering
the 30% cut that Roblox takes from all
of your Roo sales but also the extremely
tight devx rate that has been a hotly
contested subject for many years so in
order to make as much money as humanly
possible from your Roblox game you have
to focus Fus on farming those premium
payouts because game passes alone
certainly aren't enough no matter how
expensive they may get slop games
prioritize premium payouts more than
basically anything else they're designed
to keep you playing or at the very least
logged in inside of their game and which
genre of game on Roblox is the best at
doing this simulators and the reasoning
is actually very simple simulators have
the most simple and easy progression out
of any Roblox game they are as fellow
YouTuber yako called them dopamine
obliterating Idol games that Bank off of
the human brain's natural desire to
progress this is why these slop games do
so well they make an absolute insane
amount of money for not just the
developers who make them but Roblox as a
company and like how YouTube wants
people to stay on YouTube Roblox wants
players to stay on Roblox even if that
means promoting some sloppy Roblox games
that do nothing but capitalize off
Trends but there's one thing that I
haven't discussed yet one game that I've
avoided talking about ever since it was
released one game that straight up took
my breath away the very first time I saw
it and not in a good
way doew it for the vine you know how it
is what are they loading how is there
even 4700 Assets in this game I feel
like there's like six Assets in this
game dear God I got to turn
the yeah there we go that's better Souls
RNG the main reason I haven't gone near
near this game other than in passing is
because I primarily make videos about
video games on Roblox not whatever this
is Souls RNG is the defining example of
games that are purely made to capitalize
on premium payouts there aren't that
many game passes in this game in fact
it's got way less than a game like pet
simulator 99 but this game is so evil in
its design that it makes pet simulator
99 look like a AAA Classic this whole
whole game is a single slot machine
that's it like okay pets him for all of
its flaws had progression it had
gameplay Souls RNG is literally just
this spinning a wheel over and over and
over again hoping that you unlock a rare
Aura an aura that unlike pet simulator
doesn't actually do anything other than
look cool now a big defense of this game
that I see is oh well it's all free all
the spins are free There's No gambling
because it's all free and that may be
true but think about what Souls RNG is
really doing here I'll let you in on a
little secret most of the people playing
this game are AFK yep that's it because
like of course they are what gam playay
is even here to keep me engaged how does
a game get a consistent player count in
the high 80,000 range with literally no
gameplay well it's because Souls RNG
makes such an incredible amount of money
off premium payouts alone if you have
ROBLOX premium and you AFK and souls RNG
you're giving the developer a lot of
money there's so many people who play
this game with hundreds of thousands of
roles and that takes a very long time
and most of them just leave to go do
something else while the game plays
itself and Roblox really likes that
typically I wouldn't care I don't play
Souls RNG and the content I make would
never even go near it but the reason I'm
telling you all of this is because this
game got nominated for best new game at
The Innovation Awards and I mean okay
fair enough you got me Roblox if we take
the word Innovation literally Souls RNG
would certainly fit that bill because I
don't think I've ever seen a video game
literally play itself the way I've seen
Souls RNG do it it's a sick irony that
even Roblox themselves know that the
best way to succeed is a developer on
their platform is to do what the YouTube
content Farms do and farm engagement
that's why you see every front page game
includes some kind of incentive for you
to buy premium whether that be cosmetic
items free currency or a unique role
they want you to have premium because
they want those sweet sweet premium
pounds this is why I try to platform
games like fighting and pressure and
block tailes these are actual video
games with fun gameplay and an
incredible amount of passion put into
them they're games that deserve more
attention because they're actually worth
playing sinking your free time into
video games is supposed to be fun not a
fuzzy brain melting sloppy experience
and if my videos help get these games
even 10 more players than they had
before then I'm happy hopefully you can
start to understand what makes these
games a problem believe it or not I
don't actually hate any of these games
these developers are trying to make a
bag just like the rest of us but it's
just a little sad that engaging games
with fun gameplay and Unique Mechanics
remain Niche while AFK slot machines
continue to thrive on the Roblox front
page thanks for watching and I'll see
you all next time peace
[Music]
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