Beyond The Blox

Fedor presents a simple guide to "AI" and how the term has evolved in gaming, discussing where and why Roblox is investing in many different types of AI models: from basic machine learning to LLMs; safety nets to generative AI tools.Join the GEEIQ Integration Network for free today (Ad):https://geeiq.com/developers/?afmc=lastlevelChapters:(00:00) Intro(04:59) Safety & Moderation(14:50) The Algorithm(24:39) GEEIQ Integration Network for Roblox Creators (ad)(25:28) Generative AI & Code Assist(31:09) Material & Image Generation(38:53) Cube AI(44:54) Real-Time Dreaming(50:32) Will AI Replace Creators?(58:45) OutroEpisode 13Sources:- Roblox Creator Roadmap: https://create.roblox.com/roadmap- Roblox AI-powered moderation: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/07/roblox-ai-moderation-massive-scale- Roblox Sentinel, open-sourced risk detection model: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/open-sourcing-roblox-sentinel-preemptive-risk-detection- Roblox Cube, 3D and 4D generative model: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/03/introducing-roblox-cube- Roblox's real-time dreaming: https://x.com/Roblox/status/2010766064708169738/video/1Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

Creators forecast developer-facing moderation tools and APIs that could enable plug-and-play user-created games. They imagine richer physics, hydrodynamics and acoustics powering destructible worlds and novel gameplay. Discovery changes like homepage redesigns, video previews and social signals may reshape how players find games. They also predict esports growth and broader platform safety shifts in 2026.

This past week saw the rollout of chat restrictions requiring age checks in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands creating some very quiet servers for those players. Will their sacrifice shape facial age estimation for the rest of the platform?We also saw a suite of improvements to Roblox Communities making them more suitable for paid work, Product Intelligence APIs just in time to make the most of the holiday spending, and better dashboards and tools for developers to create.It's nearly Christmas and we're taking off a few weeks for the holidays. We'll be back 14 January 2026 with a look ahead at what Roblox has promised next year, so turn on notifications or join our Discord server (https://discord.lastlevel.co.uk) to know as soon as it's released.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:10) Chat Restrictions - Initial Rollout(13:32) Communities - Private Member Lists(15:37) Communities - CSV Uploads for Payouts(16:39) Communities - Updated Payout Workflow(18:34) Communities - 'Monetize Experience' Permission(19:03) Communities - Transferring Experiences(22:00) Roblox Trivia(24:35) Studio - Product Intelligence APIs(28:58) Creator Hub - MessagingService Dashboard(31:49) Creator Hub - Performance Dashboard(32:29) Studio - Reimport Update(33:41) Adaptive Animation - Studio Beta(34:20) Studio - StudioTestService(36:29) OutroSeason 3 Episode 11Sources:Chat restrictions rolling out 'down under'- https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/12/safety-snapshot-age-checks-for-chat- https://x.com/TheNexusAvenger/status/1996335504472875411Text chat matchmaking signal- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-matchmaking-introducing-the-new-text-chat-signal/4116099Community member list privacy- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/upcoming-changes-to-groups-api/4109666Managing group revenue and experience ownership- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/managing-your-group-revenue-and-experience-ownerships-just-became-a-lot-easier/4114133Product Intelligence APIs- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/personalize-recommended-passes-and-developer-products-in-your-experience-with-product-intelligence-apis/4115619MessagingService observability dashboard- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/announcing-messaging-service-observability-dashboard/4121705Out of memory exits and place version performance dashboard- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/analytics-monitor-out-of-memory-exits-and-more-by-place-version/4115841Reimport beta update- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/reimport-beta-update-rigs-avatars-bones-joints-cages-dynamic-heads/4112031Adaptive animation beta- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-adaptive-animation-seamlessly-play-animations-across-various-rigs/4116008StudioTestService release- https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-studiotestservice/4116257Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

This week we’re breaking down several recent developer quality of life improvements from the past couple of weeks whilst Roblox are on Thanksgiving break.We discuss updates including native Community Announcements replacing Guilded, Luau's New Type Solver exiting beta with improved type inference, and Extended Services expansion with DataStore notifications and the open-source Batch Processor. We also explore the new ReflectionService API for programmatic engine inspection, relaxed Verified Badge requirements for contributors, HttpService Observability dashboards, and Studio's flexible UI updates preparing for full release in January.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:07) Communities - Announcements(04:33) Luau - Type Solver Release(09:58) Extended Services - Data Stores Notifications(16:26) Roblox Trivia(19:55) Verified - Updated Requirements(25:03) Studio - ReflectionService API(28:20) Studio - UI Update(37:13) OutroSeason 3 Episode 10Sources:- Community announcements on Roblox— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/create-community-announcements-directly-on-roblox/4094836- Luau’s new type solver (general release)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/general-release-luau’s-new-type-solver/4084991— https://x.com/sleitnick/status/1994682221098406279- Extended services update— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/extended-services-update/4070634— Datastore batch processor CLI: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/data-stores-batch-processor-is-now-open-source/4070597— Batch processor source code: https://github.com/Roblox/data-stores-batch-processor-cli— HTTPService observability: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/announcing-observability-dashboard-for-httpservice/4085515- Update on verified badge requirements— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/update-on-verified-badge-requirements-for-experiences/4070915— Verified Badge FAQ: https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/7997207259156-Verified-Badge-FAQ- ReflectionService API— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-reflectionservice-programmatic-access-to-engine-api-information/4078522- Studio UI update— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/an-update-on-the-new-flexible-studio-ui/4085392— Comments digest email: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/stay-in-the-loop-with-email-digests-for-studio-comments/4078422Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

This week is a deep dive special into safety on Roblox and the recent features rolling out to combat bad actors: age estimation, chat segregation, social links ban and developer restrictions in Studio.We talk through the background context on the tough safety challenges Roblox faces; the added pressure from media and lawsuits; and what we think of the platform changes.All three of us are Roblox developers, over 18 years old. You might have a different perspective or opinion on the topics covered - let us know in the comments to continue the discussion.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:38) Main Challenges - Text, voice & rated content(08:00) Pressure - News media & lawsuits(12:40) CHANGE #1 - Chat segregation by age group(19:24) CHANGE #2 - AI age estimation(28:08) Combining signals - Possible future changes(30:03) CHANGE #3 - Social links removed in-game(35:34) Preventing off-platform chat - Discord(40:04) CHANGE #4 - Studio restriction by age group(43:42) OutroSeason 3 Episode 9Sources:- Roblox Safety information— Learn about parental controls: https://corp.roblox.com/parental-controls— Safety and Privacy tools: https://corp.roblox.com/safety-tools— Understanding age checks: https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/39143693116052-Understanding-Age-Checks-on-Roblox- Age checks, AI age estimation, chat restrictions— Roblox blog: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/11/roblox-requires-age-checks-limits-minor-and-adult-chat— Roblox Developer Forum: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-checks-to-access-chat-studio-team-create-and-links-on-roblox/4079702— BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lp5pn9e1qo— New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/business/roblox-age-verification.html— The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/18/roblox-facial-age-estimation-children-adults-chats-blocked— CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/18/tech/roblox-ai-age-verification-youth-safety- Reports of inaccurate age estimation— https://x.com/Stargenix19/status/1988085501803589980— https://x.com/xNekorii/status/1986211434133369331— https://x.com/imgarfie/status/1991026544576507927— https://x.com/BossyFrosty213/status/1991568781458698396— https://x.com/SilverSlayer908/status/1991134194047545621— https://x.com/wolfboyswagger/status/1991201412986925212- Interviews and podcasts— New York Times (Hard Fork): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/podcasts/hardfork-roblox-child-safety.html— Roblox Tech Talks - Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckNAwhl-n0g— Roblox Tech Talks - Update on Our Safety Initiatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPGe99m8zs- Prior reporting - incl. lawsuits and incidents— Schlep cease and desist: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html— Attorney General Alliance: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-general-alliance-launches-new-initiative-to-protect-children-online-302598417.html— Kentucky AG lawsuit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kentucky-attorney-general-russell-coleman-sues-roblox/— Louisiana AG lawsuit: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/15/us/louisiana-roblox-lawsuit-child-protection-hnk— Texas AG lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/world/texas-sues-roblox-allegedly-concealing-safety-concerns-parents-2025-11-06/— Florida criminal subpoenas: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/florida-attorney-general-issues-subpoenas-roblox-over-child-safety-2025-10-20/— Restrictions by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblox#Restrictions_by_countryHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

This week Rewarded Video Ads rolled out to everyone, developers got better tools to reimport meshes, content sharing APIs were released to make our own versions of Roblox Moments, Today’s Picks in the avatar marketplace is going festive, Studio Script Sync is in beta, game page videos got an upgrade and Roblox have opened up the ability to opt-in game passes for Robux purchases.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Monetisation - Rewarded Video Ads(07:57) Studio - Reimport Beta(14:42) Moments - Content Sharing API(19:41) Marketplace - Evolving Today’s Picks(22:58) Roblox Trivia(28:30) Studio - Script Sync Beta(34:52) Game Page - Video Previews(40:37) Monetisation - Robux and Gamepass Bundles(44:43) OutroSeason 3 Episode 8Sources:- Rewarded Video Ads— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/rewarded-video-ads-are-now-available-to-all-ads-eligible-creators/4063278- Studio Reimport (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-reimport-one-click-updates-for-imported-3d-content/4068650- Content Sharing APIs (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/beta-content-sharing-apis-use-upload-api-and-recommendations-api-to-drive-discovery-and-engagement/4065417- Marketplace Today’s Picks— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/evolving-today%E2%80%99s-picks-in-marketplace/4063692— Submit nominations: https://survey.roblox.com/jfe/form/SV_8cZb94oj9OvQm9g- Studio Script Sync (beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-script-sync-now-in-beta/4065468- Video Previews— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/video-previews-for-your-games-page/4068103- “Buy Robux” Pass Bundles— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/opt-in-your-passes-for-the-buy-robux-page/4065622Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

Over the past week we saw Roblox's "4D Generation" early access, which lets users create custom objects with AI, Speech-to-Text beta went live, server CPU allocation became dynamic, and we got Roblox's solution to A/B testing. Plus, custom matchmaking is now available for all developers with configurable signals and experiment testing.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:01) 4D Generation - Early Access(11:29) Speech-to-Text - API Beta(19:12) In-Experience Creation - Custom Avatar Items(30:31) Roblox Trivia(35:16) Servers - Dynamic CPU Allocation(39:56) Testing - Configs and Experiments(52:57) Servers - Custom Matchmaking(1:01:31) OutroSeason 3 Episode 7Sources:- 4D Generation (Early Access)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/early-access-introducing-in-experience-4d-functional-objects-and-enhanced-3d-generation/4050893- Speech-to-Text (Beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/beta-introducing-the-speech-to-text-api/4044579- In-Experience Creation (Beta)— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/client-beta-in-experience-creation-for-accessories-and-layered-clothing/4037419- More Server CPU, Dynamic Allocation— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/launching-even-more-server-cpu/4044040- Configs and Experiments— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/live-now-use-configs-and-experiments-to-grow-your-game-faster/4051385- Custom Server Matchmaking— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/custom-matchmaking-is-now-available-to-all-experiences-on-roblox/4051419— How matchmaking works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUMlnldI53A— Developer docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/matchmakingHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

We cover the new Emissive Maps in Studio Beta, which ensure consistent glow and material effects across all quality settings, plus the SLIM (Scalable, Lightweight, Interactive Models) system for auto-optimizing large worlds. On the platform side, we examine the new Safety Analytics dashboard for tracking player reports and the ongoing Testing Age Estimation feature requiring new users to submit verification. Finally, we look ahead to the community event EuroJam 2025.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:08) Emissive Maps - Studio Beta(07:43) SLIM - Studio Beta(13:48) Roblox Trivia(16:31) Events - EuroJam 2025(20:22) Developer Dashboard - Safety Analytics(25:11) Safety & Civility - Age Estimation Checks(33:23) OutroSeason 3 Episode 6Sources:- Emissive Maps Studio Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-emissives/4034414- SLIM Studio Beta— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-introducing-scalable-lightweight-interactive-models-slim/4034709— https://x.com/MaximumADHD/status/1983794597118521748- EuroJam 2025— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/introducing-eurojam-2025/4029615— Roblox Creators Discord: https://discord.com/invite/nMNX5yHqFK- Safety Analytics Dashboard— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/gain-insight-into-toxicity-in-your-experience-with-safety-analytics/4028415- Age Estimation Testing— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155Hosts:- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

This week we deep-dive into Roblox's Halloween Spotlight event running from 23 October to 3 November where 31 well-known experiences have quests to unlock Runes and Keys. These give access to trials where players can be rewarded with exclusive Avatar Items. But have smaller devs been excluded as Today's Picks curated sort is replaced with participating experiences only. We also touch on a few quality of life improvements rolling out for Roblox developers in the last week.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:24) Events - Halloween Spotlight(15:53) Roblox Trivia(19:11) Studio - Default Properties(22:04) Studio - WebSockets Support(29:38) Open Cloud - More Asset Types(34:06) OutroSeason 3 Episode 5Sources:- Halloween Spotlight— https://www.roblox.com/spotlight/halloween-spotlight— https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/10/halloween-spotlight- Studio Default Properties— https://x.com/Bloxy_News/status/1981454786458505672?t=tHbdfkC4PTlAG7Mbbd3PwA&s=19— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/studio-beta-user-provided-default-instances/4022156- WebSockets in Studio— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/websockets-support-in-studio-is-now-available/4021932- More Asset Type Support in Open Cloud— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/open-cloud-upload-support-for-more-asset-types/4022082Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.

Roblox launches on ROG Xbox Ally and Samsung Galaxy Store as part of their ambitious goal to capture 10% of the gaming market, but simultaneously buries the “Continue” sort on the homepage. Developers also get access to new Lionsgate horror franchises with an improved pitch system, plus custom flipbook layouts that make particle animations more efficient and flexible.Let us know in the comments if you'd like to see a particular guest or have an idea for a deep dive topic.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(00:45) Handhelds - ROG Xbox Ally X(06:34) IP Licensing - New Lionsgate Franchises(14:54) Roblox Trivia(20:04) Ad break(20:49) Homepage - "Continue" Sort Gone(29:26) Events - Halloween Spotlight(33:17) Particles - Custom Flipbook Layouts(38:47) OutroSeason 3 Episode 4Sources:- Roblox coming to two new platforms— https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/10/roblox-everywhere-bringing-roblox-two-new-platforms— Device optimisation: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/handheld-ready-optimize-your-creations-for-any-device/3887726- New Lionsgate IPs and pitch feature— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/new-lionsgate-ips-arrive-in-the-licenses-catalog-–-plus-the-new-pitch-feature/4008864/1— Licensing platform: https://create.roblox.com/explore/licenses- “Continue” sort being buried on home page— https://x.com/Abstract_Alex/status/1978134759349104724- Halloween Spotlight— https://x.com/Roblox/status/1978153942405005436— https://x.com/Roblox/status/1979222934959935733— (AFTER RECORDING) https://x.com/Roblox/status/1980698146499076206- Custom flipbook layouts for particles— https://devforum.roblox.com/t/client-beta-optimize-your-particle-animations-with-custom-flipbook-layouts/4005128— Particle emitter docs: https://create.roblox.com/docs/en-us/reference/engine/classes/ParticleEmitter— Original beta: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/animated-particles-with-the-particle-flipbooks-beta/1718023Hosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.