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In 70 years we will look back at today's kid's toys and wonder how we could ever allow them. From mobile games casino-style monetization to depression-inducing

In 70 years we will look back at today's kid's toys and wonder how we could ever allow them. From mobile games casino-style monetization to depression-inducing social networks, passing by Roblox (that takes the usual predatory monetization schema and brings it's own creative touch by using kids to develop their games). Or probably we won't, because it will be even worse by then.

nerdponx 3y ago
To be fair, advertisers were psychologically manipulating children for decades before mobile games and loot boxes. maybe they are more brazen about it now, but people are also much more aware of it now.
- watwut 3y ago
  There is something into it. Remember arcades fondly referenced on HN with some regularity? You had to throw in a coin to play for 2 minutes. Or collectible card games, again, always referenced fondly in here. But those can eat ridiculous amount of money.
- dragonwriter 3y ago
  > maybe they are more brazen about it now, They are not. In fact, much of the controversy is because of the opposite, that they are stealthier about it now.
gonzo41 3y ago
Bold prediction we've got 70 more years.
MrOwnPut 3y ago
I don't understand the Roblox hate I see here all the time. As a self-taught programmer who learnt via private game servers, I see the importance of making programming fun for kids. Roblox also needs to be able to sustain itself financially to continue developing the framework and maintaining server resources. It seems like a lot of the hate is from people who haven't even checked out this community, they just parrot the same talking point and hate that previous people have said.
- skrebbel 3y ago
  Same. Roblox is terrible for earning money, and their pricing is truly exploitative indeed, but it’s a great way to learn to code and design games (and random super weird shit) and show it to your friends. Just don’t try to earn (or spend!!) real money on there and you’re all set.
- vb6sp6 3y ago
  [dead]

nerdponx 3y ago

To be fair, advertisers were psychologically manipulating children for decades before mobile games and loot boxes. maybe they are more brazen about it now, but people are also much more aware of it now.

watwut 3y ago
There is something into it. Remember arcades fondly referenced on HN with some regularity? You had to throw in a coin to play for 2 minutes. Or collectible card games, again, always referenced fondly in here. But those can eat ridiculous amount of money.
dragonwriter 3y ago
> maybe they are more brazen about it now, They are not. In fact, much of the controversy is because of the opposite, that they are stealthier about it now.

gonzo41 3y ago

Bold prediction we've got 70 more years.

MrOwnPut 3y ago

I don't understand the Roblox hate I see here all the time. As a self-taught programmer who learnt via private game servers, I see the importance of making programming fun for kids. Roblox also needs to be able to sustain itself financially to continue developing the framework and maintaining server resources. It seems like a lot of the hate is from people who haven't even checked out this community, they just parrot the same talking point and hate that previous people have said.

skrebbel 3y ago
Same. Roblox is terrible for earning money, and their pricing is truly exploitative indeed, but it’s a great way to learn to code and design games (and random super weird shit) and show it to your friends. Just don’t try to earn (or spend!!) real money on there and you’re all set.
vb6sp6 3y ago
[dead]