Gaming/entertainment platform Roblox has published its first economic and social impact report, in a bid to demonstrate its importance to the US economy. Among its findings, the company says “the impact of our Developer Exchange Programme (from 2017-2023) was nearly 18,000 full-time job equivalents (for creators).”
According to Roblox 79.5 million users a day come to the platform to visit millions of experiences and engage with millions of 3D items made by its community of creators. “During the 12 months ended June 30, 2024, we distributed $803 million to our global creator community, up 18% over the previous 12 months.”
In the past year, more than 7,500 of the 5.5 million US creators monetising on Roblox made more than $650, according to the platform’s report. “These creators, who build the experiences, avatars, and items available on Roblox, live across the US, including many in regions not typically associated with technology.”
Roblox conducted a survey of its users and found: “Of the respondents who monetise on our platform, 38% said they wouldn’t have earned income from making interactive content without Roblox. And 56% said they don’t develop for any other platforms.”
44% of the 147 creators surveyed from communities outside of traditional technology hubs said that, without Roblox, “they likely wouldn’t be creating or working in technology, starting businesses, or connecting with top brands or artists”.
In terms of economic impact, Roblox says: “In the US, (2017-2023), we generated an estimated GDP of $1.2bn. In 2023, we generated an estimated GDP of $345m.”
