Roblox’s tooling is so particular to Roblox that it is hard to transfer the knowledge out of the game.
Microsoft MakeCode can use Scratch or Python and connect with Minecraft, Lego Mindstorm, and a few other things. The same style of visual coding system shows up in a lot of other devices and their software, like the Makey Makey, Makeblock’s educational robots, etc… I think those are better choices personally.
Roblox uses luau, which is similar enough to Lua that it absolutely does teach you transferable skills. Knock the platform all you like, but it’s not so dissimilar from other game engines that you come away with nothing.
Honestly, I like developing for it, and that’s coming from unity.
MakeCode and the other Scratch-based visual coding systems I included make for a good way to get the basics in a way that isn’t tied exclusively to any platform or product.
Having python to use once you start hitting the limits of visual coding gives you those properly transferable skills without being tied to Roblox and its extremely abusive practices.
This whole ecosystem is much more approachable than just slinging random Lua scripts.
Yes my kids have done makecode and scratch. But getting a 3d model moving that can be played by others provides a motivation that makecode and scratch don’t offer.
As to abuse, every platform takes a cut of profits. If you make a game for free on Roblox there’s no profit and therefore no money lost. That’s nicer than the Apple model where you have to buy Apple products and pay a yearly Apple license for the privilege of giving Apple 30%.
Roblox’s tooling is so particular to Roblox that it is hard to transfer the knowledge out of the game.
Microsoft MakeCode can use Scratch or Python and connect with Minecraft, Lego Mindstorm, and a few other things. The same style of visual coding system shows up in a lot of other devices and their software, like the Makey Makey, Makeblock’s educational robots, etc… I think those are better choices personally.
Roblox uses luau, which is similar enough to Lua that it absolutely does teach you transferable skills. Knock the platform all you like, but it’s not so dissimilar from other game engines that you come away with nothing.
Honestly, I like developing for it, and that’s coming from unity.
Sure Python is better but getting interest is more important.
And makecode to Minecraft doesn’t transfer to anything else either. -other than logic fundamentals which you get from simple lua programs too.
MakeCode and the other Scratch-based visual coding systems I included make for a good way to get the basics in a way that isn’t tied exclusively to any platform or product.
Having python to use once you start hitting the limits of visual coding gives you those properly transferable skills without being tied to Roblox and its extremely abusive practices.
This whole ecosystem is much more approachable than just slinging random Lua scripts.
Yes my kids have done makecode and scratch. But getting a 3d model moving that can be played by others provides a motivation that makecode and scratch don’t offer.
As to abuse, every platform takes a cut of profits. If you make a game for free on Roblox there’s no profit and therefore no money lost. That’s nicer than the Apple model where you have to buy Apple products and pay a yearly Apple license for the privilege of giving Apple 30%.