This week is a deep dive special into safety on Roblox and the recent features rolling out to combat bad actors: age estimation, chat segregation, social links ban and developer restrictions in Studio.We talk through the background context on the tough safety challenges Roblox faces; the added pressure from media and lawsuits; and what we think of the platform changes.All three of us are Roblox developers, over 18 years old. You might have a different perspective or opinion on the topics covered - let us know in the comments to continue the discussion.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:38) Main Challenges - Text, voice & rated content(08:00) Pressure - News media & lawsuits(12:40) CHANGE #1 - Chat segregation by age group(19:24) CHANGE #2 - AI age estimation(28:08) Combining signals - Possible future changes(30:03) CHANGE #3 - Social links removed in-game(35:34) Preventing off-platform chat - Discord(40:04) CHANGE #4 - Studio restriction by age group(43:42) OutroSeason 3 Episode 9Sources:- Roblox Safety information— Learn about parental controls: https://corp.roblox.com/parental-controls— Safety and Privacy tools: https://corp.roblox.com/safety-tools— Understanding age checks: https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/39143693116052-Understanding-Age-Checks-on-Roblox- Age checks, AI age estimation, chat restrictions— Roblox blog: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/11/roblox-requires-age-checks-limits-minor-and-adult-chat— Roblox Developer Forum: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-checks-to-access-chat-studio-team-create-and-links-on-roblox/4079702— BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lp5pn9e1qo— New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/business/roblox-age-verification.html— The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/18/roblox-facial-age-estimation-children-adults-chats-blocked— CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/18/tech/roblox-ai-age-verification-youth-safety- Reports of inaccurate age estimation— https://x.com/Stargenix19/status/1988085501803589980— https://x.com/xNekorii/status/1986211434133369331— https://x.com/imgarfie/status/1991026544576507927— https://x.com/BossyFrosty213/status/1991568781458698396— https://x.com/SilverSlayer908/status/1991134194047545621— https://x.com/wolfboyswagger/status/1991201412986925212- Interviews and podcasts— New York Times (Hard Fork): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/podcasts/hardfork-roblox-child-safety.html— Roblox Tech Talks - Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckNAwhl-n0g— Roblox Tech Talks - Update on Our Safety Initiatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPGe99m8zs- Prior reporting - incl. lawsuits and incidents— Schlep cease and desist: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html— Attorney General Alliance: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-general-alliance-launches-new-initiative-to-protect-children-online-302598417.html— Kentucky AG lawsuit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kentucky-attorney-general-russell-coleman-sues-roblox/— Louisiana AG lawsuit: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/15/us/louisiana-roblox-lawsuit-child-protection-hnk— Texas AG lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/world/texas-sues-roblox-allegedly-concealing-safety-concerns-parents-2025-11-06/— Florida criminal subpoenas: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/florida-attorney-general-issues-subpoenas-roblox-over-child-safety-2025-10-20/— Restrictions by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblox#Restrictions_by_countryHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
This week Rewarded Video Ads rolled out to everyone, developers got better tools to reimport meshes, content sharing APIs were released to make our own versions of Roblox Moments, Today’s Picks in the avatar marketplace is going festive, Studio Script Sync is in beta, game page videos got an upgrade and Roblox have opened up the ability to opt-in game passes for Robux purchases.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Monetisation - Rewarded Video Ads(07:57) Studio - Reimport Beta(14:42) Moments - Content Sharing API(19:41) Marketplace - Evolving Today’s Picks(22:58) Roblox Trivia(28:30) Studio - Script Sync Beta(34:52) Game Page - Video Previews(40:37) Monetisation - Robux and Gamepass Bundles(44:43) OutroSeason 3 Episode 8Sources:- Rewarded Video Ads— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/rewarded-video-ads-are-now-available-to-all-ads-eligible-creators/4063278- Studio Reimport (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-reimport-one-click-updates-for-imported-3d-content/4068650- Content Sharing APIs (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/beta-content-sharing-apis-use-upload-api-and-recommendations-api-to-drive-discovery-and-engagement/4065417- Marketplace Today’s Picks— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/evolving-today%E2%80%99s-picks-in-marketplace/4063692— Submit nominations: https://survey.roblox.com/jfe/form/SV_8cZb94oj9OvQm9g- Studio Script Sync (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-script-sync-now-in-beta/4065468- Video Previews— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/video-previews-for-your-games-page/4068103- “Buy Robux” Pass Bundles— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/opt-in-your-passes-for-the-buy-robux-page/4065622Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
Over the past week we saw Roblox's "4D Generation" early access, which lets users create custom objects with AI, Speech-to-Text beta went live, server CPU allocation became dynamic, and we got Roblox's solution to A/B testing. Plus, custom matchmaking is now available for all developers with configurable signals and experiment testing.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:01) 4D Generation - Early Access(11:29) Speech-to-Text - API Beta(19:12) In-Experience Creation - Custom Avatar Items(30:31) Roblox Trivia(35:16) Servers - Dynamic CPU Allocation(39:56) Testing - Configs and Experiments(52:57) Servers - Custom Matchmaking(1:01:31) OutroSeason 3 Episode 7Sources:- 4D Generation (Early Access)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/early-access-introducing-in-experience-4d-functional-objects-and-enhanced-3d-generation/4050893- Speech-to-Text (Beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/beta-introducing-the-speech-to-text-api/4044579- In-Experience Creation (Beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/client-beta-in-experience-creation-for-accessories-and-layered-clothing/4037419- More Server CPU, Dynamic Allocation— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/launching-even-more-server-cpu/4044040- Configs and Experiments— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/live-now-use-configs-and-experiments-to-grow-your-game-faster/4051385- Custom Server Matchmaking— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/custom-matchmaking-is-now-available-to-all-experiences-on-roblox/4051419— How matchmaking works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUMlnldI53A— Developer docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/matchmakingHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
We cover the new Emissive Maps in Studio Beta, which ensure consistent glow and material effects across all quality settings, plus the SLIM (Scalable, Lightweight, Interactive Models) system for auto-optimizing large worlds. On the platform side, we examine the new Safety Analytics dashboard for tracking player reports and the ongoing Testing Age Estimation feature requiring new users to submit verification. Finally, we look ahead to the community event EuroJam 2025.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:08) Emissive Maps - Studio Beta(07:43) SLIM - Studio Beta(13:48) Roblox Trivia(16:31) Events - EuroJam 2025(20:22) Developer Dashboard - Safety Analytics(25:11) Safety & Civility - Age Estimation Checks(33:23) OutroSeason 3 Episode 6Sources:- Emissive Maps Studio Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-emissives/4034414- SLIM Studio Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-introducing-scalable-lightweight-interactive-models-slim/4034709— https://x.com/MaximumADHD/status/1983794597118521748- EuroJam 2025— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-eurojam-2025/4029615— Roblox Creators Discord: https://discord.com/invite/nMNX5yHqFK- Safety Analytics Dashboard— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/gain-insight-into-toxicity-in-your-experience-with-safety-analytics/4028415- Age Estimation Testing— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155Hosts:- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
This week we deep-dive into Roblox's Halloween Spotlight event running from 23 October to 3 November where 31 well-known experiences have quests to unlock Runes and Keys. These give access to trials where players can be rewarded with exclusive Avatar Items. But have smaller devs been excluded as Today's Picks curated sort is replaced with participating experiences only. We also touch on a few quality of life improvements rolling out for Roblox developers in the last week.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:24) Events - Halloween Spotlight(15:53) Roblox Trivia(19:11) Studio - Default Properties(22:04) Studio - WebSockets Support(29:38) Open Cloud - More Asset Types(34:06) OutroSeason 3 Episode 5Sources:- Halloween Spotlight— https://www.roblox.com/spotlight/halloween-spotlight— https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/10/halloween-spotlight- Studio Default Properties— https://x.com/Bloxy_News/status/1981454786458505672?t=tHbdfkC4PTlAG7Mbbd3PwA&s=19— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-user-provided-default-instances/4022156- WebSockets in Studio— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/websockets-support-in-studio-is-now-available/4021932- More Asset Type Support in Open Cloud— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/open-cloud-upload-support-for-more-asset-types/4022082Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
Roblox launches on ROG Xbox Ally and Samsung Galaxy Store as part of their ambitious goal to capture 10% of the gaming market, but simultaneously buries the “Continue” sort on the homepage. Developers also get access to new Lionsgate horror franchises with an improved pitch system, plus custom flipbook layouts that make particle animations more efficient and flexible.Let us know in the comments if you'd like to see a particular guest or have an idea for a deep dive topic.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:45) Handhelds - ROG Xbox Ally X(06:34) IP Licensing - New Lionsgate Franchises(14:54) Roblox Trivia(20:04) Ad break(20:49) Homepage - "Continue" Sort Gone(29:26) Events - Halloween Spotlight(33:17) Particles - Custom Flipbook Layouts(38:47) OutroSeason 3 Episode 4Sources:- Roblox coming to two new platforms— https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/10/roblox-everywhere-bringing-roblox-two-new-platforms— Device optimisation: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/handheld-ready-optimize-your-creations-for-any-device/3887726- New Lionsgate IPs and pitch feature— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/new-lionsgate-ips-arrive-in-the-licenses-catalog-–-plus-the-new-pitch-feature/4008864/1— Licensing platform: https://create.roblox.com/explore/licenses- “Continue” sort being buried on home page— https://x.com/Abstract_Alex/status/1978134759349104724- Halloween Spotlight— https://x.com/Roblox/status/1978153942405005436— https://x.com/Roblox/status/1979222934959935733— (AFTER RECORDING) https://x.com/Roblox/status/1980698146499076206- Custom flipbook layouts for particles— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/client-beta-optimize-your-particle-animations-with-custom-flipbook-layouts/4005128— Particle emitter docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/en-us/reference/engine/classes/ParticleEmitter— Original beta: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/animated-particles-with-the-particle-flipbooks-beta/1718023Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
The Avatar Makeup Beta showed us tech that Roblox developers can use for many other purposes than just makeup, Text to Speech was fully released and we got early access to Server Authority.Ad: Play The Lanes on Roblox: https://thelanes.vipChapters:(00:00) Intro(01:04) Text to Speech - Full Release(08:23) Server Authority - Early Access(22:06) Roblox Trivia(27:14) Ad break(27:58) Avatar Marketplace - Makeup Beta(38:31) Immersive Video - Advanced API Beta(43:57) OutroSeason 3 Episode 3Sources:- Text to Speech API Release— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/build-more-immersive-experiences-text-to-speech-api-full-release/3986607— Available voices: https://create.roblox.com/docs/audio/objects#text-to-speech— Use limits: https://create.roblox.com/docs/reference/engine/classes/AudioTextToSpeech- Server Authority Early Access— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/early-access-server-authority/3983188- Avatar Makeup Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-introducing-avatar-makeup/3973764— Creator Hub docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/makeup— WrapTextureTransfer instance: https://create.roblox.com/docs/reference/engine/classes/WrapTextureTransfer— ComposeDecalAsync API: https://create.roblox.com/docs/reference/engine/classes/AssetService#ComposeDecalAsync— Beta files: https://github.com/Roblox/avatar/tree/main/Makeup— MaximumADHD, investigating underlying tech: https://x.com/MaximumADHD/status/1974005886294061452- Advanced Video Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-advanced-video-api-synchronize-video-control-3d-audio-and-more/3972775— Advanced audio: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/new-audio-api-beta-elevate-sound-and-voice-in-your-experiences/2848873— Wires docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/reference/engine/classes/WireHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
Last week millions of unrated experiences became unplayable and several hundred-thousand avatar items were removed in Roblox's latest safety push, plus "free models" are becoming less free, and Guilded finally gets the axe; Will Roblox's on-platform features make up for their $90M purchase shutting down?Ad: Play The Lanes on Roblox: https://thelanes.vipChapters:(00:00) Intro(00:56) Safety & Civility - October Safety Snapshot(07:34) Developer Products - Regional Pricing(14:42) Ad break 1(15:20) Deep Linking - Share Link API(23:00) Toolbox - 3D Model Monetisation(34:11) Roblox Trivia(37:03) Ad break 2(37:47) Community - Guilded Shutting Down(45:48) OutroSeason 3 Episode 2Sources:- Roblox Safety Snapshot— https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/10/roblox-safety-snapshot- Regional Pricing for Developer Products— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-regional-pricing-for-developer-products/3971235— Game passes: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-regional-pricing-for-passes/3621382— Avatar items: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/regional-pricing-for-avatar-items/3676358- Share Link API— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-the-share-link-api-deep-link-players-directly-into-the-action/3972678- 3D Model Monetisation— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/creator-store-model-monetization-coming-soon-start-pricing-your-models/3971041— https://x.com/Bloxy_News/status/1972206688368578841— Supported countries: https://docs.stripe.com/connect/cross-border-payouts— Early access signup: https://survey.roblox.com/jfe/form/SV_eIEIWe21nDwtKui- Guilded Shutting Down— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/update-on-guilded-and-communities/3966775Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
This week we're diving into Roblox's new AI text generation for NPCs, voice chat finally hitting PlayStation, improved lighting ranges, and a bunch of quality-of-life updates for developers.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:57) AI on Roblox - Text Generation Beta(15:22) Lighting - Extended Range(19:52) Ad break 1(20:56) User Interface - UI Stroke Improvements(28:54) Voice Chat - Arriving on Consoles(33:53) Roblox Trivia(35:47) Ad break 2(36:32) Creator Hub - Improved Server Management(47:24) OutroSeason 3 Episode 1Sources:- AI Text Generation Beta Expansion— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/text-generation-api-beta-expanding-access/3952348— https://www.youtube.com/live/PVlCHE9pc50?t=1811s- Extended Light Ranges— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/extended-light-ranges-doubling-the-limit-to-120/3954367— https://x.com/Fluorlite/status/1971008046139871564- UIStroke Improvements— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-uistroke-improvements-scaling-offsets-and-more/3958036- Voice Chat is Coming to Consoles— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/voice-chat-voicechatservice-is-coming-to-consoles/3940471- Improved Server Management— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-server-management/3941907Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
On this episode, Quenty joins us to chat about all things Roblox, from his open source tools and plugins, to integrating features directly in Studio during his internship. We also discuss Whatever Floats Your Boat, some of Quenty's less well known games, and the need to never be bored. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, GregTame joins us to chat about VR support on Roblox and his VR exclusive games. He pioneers the use of some awesome tech on the platform to create immersive multiplayer and solo adventures - could it be the future of Roblox? #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, MrAsync talks about life at Supersocial and his 10 year journey on the Roblox platform from player to developer. We discuss the metaverse - what it means now and what it might mean in the future, and how Roblox fits into the concept. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, classic Robloxian thebenster walks us through the last 13 years of game development and the incredible success of his Make a Cake franchise with Roblox toys and merch, as well as touching on the topic of account security after a recent scare. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, Roblox translator and developer ItsKoiske discusses the importance of translating games and experiences for worldwide audiences, the recent enabling of automatic translations for all developers, and the problems that can come with it. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, Roblox Titanic creator TheAmazeman talks about his work in the disaster survival genre, the contrast between developing at school vs full-time, and using Instagram and TikTok to promote his studio Virtual Valley Games. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, twice Roblox intern ScriptOn talks through his 12-year development history and applying to return to Roblox for a third time for the Accelerator program, as well as telling us all about life at DevHouse. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, Accelerator Intern GeorgeTheDev speaks about racing, old projects and making connections with other developers on the platform. George also talks about what it's like to apply and get accepted into the Roblox Accelerator program. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, Bloxy nominee EgoMoose discusses the Roblox Wiki, open source projects and his epic uses of tech! EgoMoose describes a career of enabling other developers through extremely helpful articles and free-to-take tools and demos. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, evaera joins BanTech to discuss what it's like to work in a large team at Dreamcraft on the record-breaking Adopt Me! game, whilst maintaining one of the most widely-used Roblox Discord bots, RoVer. evaera also talks about the motivations behind her open source libraries and the Scripting Helpers website. #BeyondTheBlox
On this episode, SteadyOn joins AlvinBlox (guest host) to chat about early life on Roblox, how the platform has evolved, and how the evolution has influenced the style of games. SteadyOn goes into detail about his new service RTrack to provide realtime in-depth analytics of games and advertisements on Roblox. #BeyondTheBlox