Roblox Just Made It Easier to 'Borrow' Ideas (Legally!) – Like a Dragon, Stranger Things, and More Up for Grabs
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Roblox is making it easier for creators to license big-name IPs like *Like a Dragon* and *Stranger Things*, but some reckon it's also a way to crack down on unauthorized fan content, which might make things a bit dicey for smaller creators.
Right, so Roblox is shaking things up again, and this time it's got something for both the creators and the copyright holders. See, they've launched this newfangled 'License Manager' thingy, and the gist of it is simple: it lets Roblox creators (the clever folks building the games within the game) officially license big-name IP, like Sega's *Like a Dragon* (formerly *Yakuza*), *Stranger Things*, and even *Squid Game*.
Now, before you start thinking Roblox is suddenly turning into a saint, remember the whole #BoycottTheHatch drama? (That was a right kerfuffle, wasn't it?). This new system looks like a clever way to keep the content flowing while (maybe) appeasing the folks who own these mega-franchises.
The License Manager, as Roblox puts it, aims to simplify the “complex, time-consuming process” of IP licensing. Translation: it used to be a pain in the backside to get permission to use anything cool. Only the big studios could really be bothered. But now, 'eligible creators' (whatever that means – I suspect it involves not using copyrighted material without permission *cough*) can apply to use assets from franchises like *Twilight* and *Saw*. Fair dinkum, that’s a wild mix.
The juicy bit is how the rights holders get involved. They can “proactively scan experiences for IP usage.” Ooh, sounds a bit Orwellian, doesn’t it? It suggests Roblox might be cracking down on unauthorized fan games. I reckon that’s got to be a worry for a lot of smaller creators, but perhaps it'll help the OG IP owners.
The companies can also offer licenses to current projects, or list them in the catalog so creators can apply. Revenue sharing, open-source stuff. It all sounds very… democratic. But what does this mean for the average Roblox player? More variety? Less originality? Possibly both, mate. It depends on how generous these IP holders are willing to be. Will this program impact Web3 gaming? Potentially. As the lines between platforms blur, such licensing initiatives could one day encompass blockchain-based games and assets, providing a more regulated and transparent framework for utilizing intellectual property within decentralized environments.
Roblox claims this is just the beginning. More IP holders are expected to join the party throughout the year. Just imagine the possibilities! *Minecraft* meets *Grand Theft Auto*? *Fortnite* featuring *Lord of the Rings*? Okay, maybe not, but the potential is there, isn't it?
Tags: Roblox, IP Licensing, Like a Dragon, Game Development, User Generated Content
Original article: IGN South Africa