Roblox Introducing Controversial Alterations to Avatars
Roblox sparks debate with its latest update to bodies and heads, causing a stir among players and the community This change follows the recent introduction of player-to-player cosmetic sales, adding fuel to the controversy
Highlights
Roblox players can no longer gift bodies and heads to each other on the marketplace, as all cosmetics now have a minimum price requirement.
Starting from October 26, the marketplace will enforce a minimum price of 75 Robux for free bodies and heads. Additionally, a flat fee of 750 Robux will be applicable for all new submissions. Only members of the User Generated Content program are eligible to sell character skins on the marketplace, subject to a thorough application process.
The game's marketplace on Roblox no longer allows players to gift bodies and heads to each other. Now, all cosmetics listed on the virtual storefront must have a minimum price requirement. This change was made after introducing the feature that allowed select Roblox players to sell character skins in mid-August.
It's important to note that Roblox Corporation limited the ability to sell cosmetics to members of its User Generated Content (UGC) program. Becoming a part of this exclusive Roblox community is not easily achieved, as each application has been thoroughly reviewed since the UGC program's launch in 2019.
Starting from October 26, the popular sandbox game will no longer allow free storefront listings for bodies and heads offered to Roblox players. Instead, all such cosmetics will now have a minimum price of 75 Robux. This is equivalent to $0.60, based on the $4.99 price tag of the game's most affordable currency package which contains 400 Robux. Developers have given content creators a one-week period to comply with this new rule. Any body or head listings priced below 75 Robux will automatically be adjusted to the new minimum price by next Thursday, November 2.
The developers plan to soon implement a flat fee of 750 Robux for all new body and head submissions. This fee will go into effect before the end of the year. By charging for these cosmetics, Roblox aims to increase its revenue and reduce operating costs by filtering out low-value transactions. Validating individual sales isn't expensive, but with over 210 million monthly users as of mid-summer 2023, these costs can accumulate. However, the introduction of this change has received negative reactions on social media. Many Roblox players are unhappy with the decision to monetize avatar skin sales more aggressively, as they believe it will hinder marketplace activity.
However, the contentious alteration is not occurring in isolation, as the widely popular sandbox game has been actively seeking methods to improve its monetization of its user base. The game's financial stability was previously questioned in 2022 when Roblox incurred a loss of more than $900 million despite a rise in player numbers. Roblox can be accessed on various platforms, including mobile devices, PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One.
Source: Roblox Corporation
