Should I Start with Roblox Studio?

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#1

Hi, I’m a relatively new developer to Roblox Studio but I have many years of experience doing competitions in languages like Python, C++, and Java (Competitions CCC and Advent of Code). As someone who teaches younger kids (Grades 2-7) Should I start simple with Roblox Studio? Or should I go with something else like Unreal Engine and use a language I’m familiar with?

The end product is probably to be a simple top-down city builder of sorts, because the genre is more parent-friendly.

#2

something you’re familiar with, or unreal engine

#3

I never used unreal but I would recommend Roblox Studio it is very beginner friendly and Luau is one of the easier languages to learn.

#4

Well it depends on a lot of factors, such as how much you want to monetize, the genre etc.

For a top down city builder, it might not be as popular as it could be if it was on lets say steam, but I cant confirm that as I have never seen a top down city builder on roblox (which probably says something…)

Anyhow if you look around you can find the kind of games that work on roblox, if you have no interest in those games, then maybe go to unreal or something.

If you’re just doing it as a fun experience and dont care if it actually gets any players, roblox would in fact work, in that case I’d say its up to you.

So yeah it really just depends on the scenario.

#5

I agree. Python is very similar to Luau so if some of them know Python, then learning Luau would be easier. Roblox Studio is built for simplicity in the first place, so that’s a bonus. The platform doesn’t have a unified identity so their games’ art design can be whatever they want it to be (unless it’s inappropriate). The engine does server connectivity for you and Roblox servers are basically free to use so it’s easier to build games which supports multiplayer. However due to the simplicity, they may stumble upon roadblocks, such as not being able to write their own shaders. Some successful game developers also did start with Roblox Studio, such as the creator of Lethal Company.

#6

I’d argue yes, you should use roblox studio in this case.

Some easy benefits I can think of is that studio is easy and that it has simple building tools that don’t require you to simultaneously teach the kids how to use blender.
But given it’s a programming course, I guess visuals don’t really matter as long as the game functions, but who knows what the kids will want.

I myself, also only picked up programming in Year 8 with you guessed it, roblox. I found all the other engines too complicated and confusing for myself to use, but the one main reason I went with roblox was because of LUAU.

I’ve also seen some schools that already use roblox studio in their computer classes, and the people in those classes seemed to enjoy it.

#7

Nah if you are gonna make a top down city builder than go with unreal engine and release on steam

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#8

I’d argue that steam has a $100 publishing fee so that’s probably very inconvenient.

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#9

It’s almost guaranteed to make your 100 dollars back on steam

#10

I’d also argue that even if it’s guaranteed, it needs to make at least $1000 adjusted gross revenue to get that $100 back, so to me it’s risky.

#11

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/finance/payments_salesreporting/faq

  • Q. Is there a minimum revenue I must earn before I can receive a payment?
    A. Yes. There are costs associated with issuing each individual payment as well as potential bank fees charged to you upon receiving money that make it prohibitive to pay out for small amounts of money. Therefore, we may hold your payment until a minimum of $100 payout is earned.
#12

I think you may have misinterpreted my message. By “get that $100 back” I meant refunded $100.

[“In order to get fully set up, you will need to pay a $100.00 USD fee for each product you wish to distribute on Steam (the “Steam Direct Fee”)”

“This fee is not refundable, but will be recoupable in the payment made after your product has at least $1,000.00 USD Adjusted Gross Revenue for Steam Store and in-app purchases”](Steamworks Partner Program)

Anyways, let’s get back on topic. This was a little argument about the inconvenience of having to right away learn a more complex engine for projects just to publish it on steam. We do not know the school’s age demographic yet, as “kids” could’ve meant that the school is a primary school, a junior high school, or even a middle school.

#13

Ty guys for the input, I’m going to try out Roblox Studio for a bit. I wasn’t looking for any monetary gain but just something easy to pick up and give a finished product to kids

And besides if I don’t like it I can switch anyways

#14

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