Roblox will allow devs to release games as standalone apps on other stores

Roblox Corporation announced at its annual Developers Conference that creators can now distribute their games on platforms like Steam, the App Store, and Google Play as standalone titles. This move expands the reach of popular user-generated games such as Steal an Egg, Scream and Run, and Welcome to Bloxburg beyond the Roblox ecosystem. Developers will retain the same revenue-share economics as the Roblox app, including a higher DevEx rate for verified adult users in the U.S. The policy shift addresses longstanding concerns about platform fees and developer monetization options.

The company also introduced new tools to support developers breaking free from its ecosystem, including browser-based play and offline modes for players. Developers will gain access to engine capabilities for 2D games, such as a new orthographic camera and direct sprite-sheet import. The public alpha for the genAI development tool 'Build' will expand to new regions, alongside a prompt-to-scene generator for Studio. These updates aim to enhance flexibility and creativity for creators.

Roblox is rolling out financial innovations for developers, including the 'Roblox Wallet' for earning real currency and the 'Roblox Card' for spending funds wherever accepted. The company also adjusted its discovery ranking system to prioritize shorter-form games for younger players and deeper experiences for older audiences. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to balance engagement and monetization across different demographics.

The announcements follow Roblox’s reported financial challenges in the second quarter, attributed to shifts in user engagement and algorithm changes favoring long-term retention over near-term monetization. The company’s chief financial officer, Naveen K. Chopra, highlighted these issues in a recent earnings report. The new tools and policies may influence how developers and players interact with the platform in the coming months.