5 ms·

Yes, but Roblox has managed to capture a younger audience (6-13ish). There's lots of money to be made in every other age group

chii 5y ago
the young age group, if they get hold of parent's credit card, is a lucrative target. Unfortunately, also a bit illegal.
- josefresco 5y ago
  My kid: runs into room, hands $5 to me and starts to run back to her PC Me: What's this for?!? Kid: Bought something on Roblox byeeeee
  - seanw444 5y ago
    If your kids are using your card info without you authorizing first, you should use privacy.com and give them a card number from there, with the proper restrictions on it.
    - mring33621 5y ago
      This is how I bought BMX parts as a kid (1980s). I memorized my Dad's Visa card, used it over the phone, and paid him back with cash. He didn't mind, as I never stiffed him.
    - josefresco 5y ago
      It's allowed (obviously). I just think it illustrated the parent point that pre-teens will spend a lot on this platform once the "payment barrier" has been reduced. I know when they first started playing Roblox paying for stuff was a pain. Once we smoothed that out, the purchased items started increasing. It's all within reason (thankfully) and my kid works so it's up to them how to spend their own money (another lesson on saving vs spending) Edit: Thanks for mentioning https://privacy.com https://privacy.com - I never heard of it and will check it out!
kmeisthax 5y ago
For older audiences there's VR Chat or Second Life. The thing about the whole "metaverse" thing is that it's not a novel concept; it's actually a crowded market. We just didn't notice it because the market really isn't that large. Generally speaking when people want a game world to screw around in, they'll usually play a competitive multiplayer game rather than an open sandbox.
- ethbr0 5y ago
  The problem with Second Life, as far as I can tell, is that there just isn't a big enough market to fund necessary development. Their engine and assets look like a 1990s 3D MMOG... in 2021. And I'm sure it's not through lack of trying! So I assume it's a fundamental market problem, and it's going to take someone like FB/Meta dumping millions of dollars into a losing venture to produce something that's up to modern gamer expectations. ... If Meta were smart, they'd go ahead and partner with Epic.

chii 5y ago

the young age group, if they get hold of parent's credit card, is a lucrative target. Unfortunately, also a bit illegal.

josefresco 5y ago
My kid: runs into room, hands $5 to me and starts to run back to her PC Me: What's this for?!? Kid: Bought something on Roblox byeeeee
- seanw444 5y ago
  If your kids are using your card info without you authorizing first, you should use privacy.com and give them a card number from there, with the proper restrictions on it.
  - mring33621 5y ago
    This is how I bought BMX parts as a kid (1980s). I memorized my Dad's Visa card, used it over the phone, and paid him back with cash. He didn't mind, as I never stiffed him.
  - josefresco 5y ago
    It's allowed (obviously). I just think it illustrated the parent point that pre-teens will spend a lot on this platform once the "payment barrier" has been reduced. I know when they first started playing Roblox paying for stuff was a pain. Once we smoothed that out, the purchased items started increasing. It's all within reason (thankfully) and my kid works so it's up to them how to spend their own money (another lesson on saving vs spending) Edit: Thanks for mentioning https://privacy.com https://privacy.com - I never heard of it and will check it out!

kmeisthax 5y ago

For older audiences there's VR Chat or Second Life. The thing about the whole "metaverse" thing is that it's not a novel concept; it's actually a crowded market. We just didn't notice it because the market really isn't that large. Generally speaking when people want a game world to screw around in, they'll usually play a competitive multiplayer game rather than an open sandbox.

ethbr0 5y ago
The problem with Second Life, as far as I can tell, is that there just isn't a big enough market to fund necessary development. Their engine and assets look like a 1990s 3D MMOG... in 2021. And I'm sure it's not through lack of trying! So I assume it's a fundamental market problem, and it's going to take someone like FB/Meta dumping millions of dollars into a losing venture to produce something that's up to modern gamer expectations. ... If Meta were smart, they'd go ahead and partner with Epic.