Summary
- Roblox now allows the use of strong language in certain experiences, catering to older players who felt limited by the previous ban on profanities.
- The relaxed chat filter still has strict rules prohibiting harassment, discrimination, violence, and sexual content to ensure safety and civility.
- Creators of 17+ experiences can enable strong language in chat, but all public-facing content must still be appropriate for players of all ages.
The chat over at Roblox is about to become livelier and more colorful as the online game platform, which is predominantly used by minors, has finally allowed the use of strong language in certain experiences. These specific experiences, however, will still need to adhere to some rules.
Roblox previously prohibited any strong language in either text- or voice-based chat in its hosted games in accordance with the service's community guidelines. As the platform defined strong language as anything vulgar and obscene, this ban covered all forms of swearing. While this policy was intended to provide all Roblox users with safety, it has been criticized by some — particularly those who played experiences designed for people aged 17 and up — for not allowing these experiences to reach their full potential due to the lack of profanities.
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The Roblox developers seemingly heard the complaints and announced on December 5 that strong language can now be used in 17+ experiences. In a post on the Roblox developer forum, the team claimed this move was part of a vision to make Roblox a platform for everyone by providing age-appropriate experiences and communication. Players, for example, can now yell out expletives in both text and voice chat should they encounter something scary during gameplay.
Any language that can be used to harass, discriminate, incite violence, threaten others, or that is sexual in nature is still not allowed in Roblox chat, the developers reiterated. Creators who choose to adopt the relaxed chat filter will have to comply with Roblox's Community Standards as well, along with the separate policies for 17+ experiences. As strong language can only be allowed in chat, the developers also reminded creators that any public-facing content for these modified experiences such as texts and thumbnails, among other things, must still be appropriate for all ages.
To enable strong language in Roblox's 17+ experiences, users can go to the Creator Dashboard, then Audience, then Communication Settings, where they can toggle the Allow Strong Language option. Creators and collaborators of any 17+ experience with strong language turned on need to be at least 17 years and old and be ID-verified. The process to enable voice chat in Roblox is similar.
Roblox's May Creator Roadmap showed that relaxed text filters were planned for 13+ experiences as well, but the platform started with 17+ users as it wanted to prioritize a strong language roll out that focused on safety and civility. Roblox has always tried to be considerate of the content of its games due to its predominantly young player base.
While data showed that around 75% of Roblox's users are people under 18, the platform has slowly been trying to catch the attention of older audiences. It introduced 17+ experiences earlier this year, and Roblox could even evolve into an online dating app, CEO David Baszucki previously hinted. As Roblox has always offered a wide variety of experiences to its users, Baszucki's vision does not seem that far-fetched.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- September 1, 2006
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Diverse Content: Discretion Advised
- Developer(s)
- Roblox Corporation
- Publisher(s)
- Roblox Corporation
- Engine
- Roblox Studio
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Mobile, PC, PS4 & Xbox One
- Cross Save
- allows players to save their progress on one device or console and continue on another
WHERE TO PLAY
Roblox is home to an ever-expanding library of community-created worlds and experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for an epic role-playing adventure game or just want to hang out with your friends, there’s always something new and exciting to play.
Connect with friends and millions of players from around the world across Xbox One, computers, smartphones, tablets, and virtual reality devices.
Mix-and-match accessories, body parts, and more to customize your avatar. You can be anything you want to be: a ninja pirate, a mermaid princess, a robot wizard, the possibilities are limitless.
