Roblox has announced that it will begin offering paid video games on its platform, along with the option for developers to sell tangible merchandise through their games.

At its developer conference, the company stated that certain games, referred to as experiences, will be priced in real money for desktop users. Roblox plans to provide creators with a revenue share that can reach up to 70%, depending on the game’s price.

The introduction of paid experiences is set to start on personal computers later this year, with plans to extend this feature to other devices in the future.

This development represents a slight shift from Roblox’s established business model, which has primarily been based on free-to-play games where users purchase the in-game currency “Robux” to buy various virtual items like cosmetics and collectibles.

“By introducing new revenue options for paid experiences, we are providing our current creators with an additional means to earn on Roblox,” said Enrico D’Angelo, Roblox’s vice president of economy.

Unlike traditional game developers, Roblox relies heavily on user-generated content to maintain user engagement, rewarding creators whose games attract millions of visits. The company reported that it paid over $800 million to its creators in the past year.

Starting early next year, Roblox will collaborate with Shopify to enable individual creators to sell physical merchandise directly from their games.

The company is also working with brands like Walmart and Elf Beauty to set up stores within the platform, allowing players to shop for real products directly.

Roblox’s initiatives to expand its monetization strategies could help it manage difficulties in the gaming sector, as uncertainties in the economy affect spending habits and gamers tend to stick to familiar titles.

Reported by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Edited by Shilpi Majumdar