Sony turns out to have blocked "Roblox" on PlayStation due to concerns about kids' safety.
"Roblox," which amassed millions of young users, has long been available on Xbox and PC. On the other hand, the sensational gaming platform is inaccessible for PS4 and PS5 owners.
Sony Blocks 'Roblox' Over Child Safety Concerns
BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: David Baszucki, founder and CEO of Roblox, presents at the Roblox Developer Conference on August 10, 2019 in Burlingame, California.
Sony's gaming giant took a firm stance against "Roblox" due to safety concerns that may exploit young minds. However, recent reports suggest that the Japanese giant is likely to reconsider its position, hinting at a potential shift in its strategy.
As per a report by Axios, a 2022 document, which saw the light of day due to the FTC's Microsoft trial, sheds light on why "Roblox" has been unavailable on PlayStation consoles despite its sensational popularity among kids. No less than the PlayStation boss Jim Ryan explained it.
The massively popular game allows users to create their virtual worlds. However, Sony fears this freedom could expose younger players to inappropriate content and potential predators. With a steadfast commitment to protecting its young audience, Sony initially decided to block "Roblox" from its gaming ecosystem.
In an investor meeting in early 2022, Ryan pointed out that plenty of young minds are using the PlayStation. And given that, "we have been very careful with regards to opening them up to anything that could potentially exploit them."
Engadget notes that most of "Roblox"'s users are children under 13. While the gaming platform regulates its content, prohibiting sexual activity and drugs, some users exploit loopholes in the systems. Given that, in some instances, user-created titles contain inappropriate content for young ages.
Eurogamer points out that "Roblox" critics are raising concerns about its in-game spending mechanics, which enable children to spend money on various items inside the game.
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Sony is Considering a Softer Stance
Sony's Playstation 5 logo is seen at an electronics store in Tokyo on November 10, 2020, ahead of the gaming console's release scheduled for November 12.
However, Sony may be reconsidering its stance. Ryan reveals in the investor's meeting that the company is discussing Roblox. He stresses that it is open to bringing the game to PlayStation consoles in the future.
The PlayStation boss told investors that "we have reviewed those policies and relaxed a little on this" over the past years." He noted that they have been pretty "conservative for too long." Yet this time, they are now talking with the people behind the giant video game.
But despite hints of possible changes, more than a year has passed, and "Roblox" has yet to be available on PS5 or PS4.
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