Breaking Barriers: Roblox's AI Tools Intend To Make Game Development Accessible To Everyone

Roblox, the popular online game platform and game creation system developed by Roblox Corporation RBLX, has introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) tools that allow millions of player-creators to write usable game code and create in-game 2D surfaces using simple text descriptions.

The new tool, called Roblox Code Assist beta, was unveiled at the Game Developers Conference by the Head of Roblox Studio, Stef Corazza. As per Ars Technica, Corazza said that the release is a significant step towards "democratizing" game creation and making it accessible to everyone.

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With Roblox Code Assist beta, users can reportedly create simple code snippets with minimum effort, while its main focus is to automate basic coding tasks to "help automate basic coding tasks so you can focus on creative work."

However, in the future, Corazza envisions a chatbot-style interface that can be utilized as a learning tool to educate those who are still learning the basics of coding. This feature will not only explain how code works but also document functions.

Roblox has also unveiled a Material Generator tool alongside its AI code generator, aimed at streamlining the laborious process of producing 2D art assets that are placed on various surfaces in a game world.

In addition to creating an image, it also layers a simulated 3D normal map onto the surface, along with other maps that define properties such as albedo, roughness, and "metalness." The game engine can then utilize these attributes for precise lighting reflections and interactions with other objects.

Roblox Prepares For Future Flood Of AI-Generated Content

Nevertheless, the company warns that AI system still isn't perfect. But rest easy, Corazza says, the platform's environment is the perfect place to experiment: "No catastrophic events will happen if the generation isn't good—just click the button and create another one."

Yet, as the platform continues to attract millions of users, Roblox is already planning ahead to manage the influx of AI-generated content. The company will likely need to develop more automated tools to instantly moderate "things created at runtime by tens or hundreds of millions of players," the Head of Roblox assured.

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