Mastering Roblox: How to Create a Game without Roblox Studio
Curious about creating a game in Roblox without using Roblox Studio?
We explore what Roblox is, what Roblox Studio entails, and reasons for creating a game without it.
We also discuss alternatives like Roblox Studio Mobile and third-party game creation tools. Learn the steps to create a game without Roblox Studio and unleash your creativity in game development.
Contents
Key Takeaways:
What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online multi-platform game creation system and gaming platform that allows users to both play games created by others and program and monetize their own games. Roblox was developed and published in 2006 by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel under their parent company Roblox Corporation. The platform was fully released in 2006. As of April 2021, Roblox has around 199 million monthly active users according to internal company data, most of which are ages 12 to 16.
The Roblox platform consists of Roblox Studio – a development environment that integrates object-oriented programming in the Lua scripting language and level creation tools – a game client, and a cloud-based system to host, distribute and monetize user-created games. The primary method of creating games on Roblox is to use Roblox Studio which can be used to develop all aspects of a game from start to finish. The web-based Roblox platform Ecosystem includes a variety of social and communications elements including friend lists, virtual currency (Robux) to buy avatars and game support and in-game purchases. Roblox was first brought to a console in 2015 and was made available on HTC Vive and other virtual reality devices in 2016, as well as PCs and mobile devices.
What is Roblox Studio?
Roblox Studio is a tool for creating games and social spaces for the platform interface known as Roblox. It is solely developed and maintained by the US game company Roblox Corporation which was founded by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004.
Software that has only a fraction of the functionality of Roblox Studio is often referred to as Lite (e.g. IG Studio Lite for Instagram basic photo editing). Although there is not a similarly named limited version of Roblox Studio, one can use Roblox web plugin for basic video game editing that was released at the same time in 2006. By adjusting game settings such as post effects, shadows, or using third-party solutions for scripting, it is conceptually possible to use Roblox’s web plugin standalone as a lesser version of Roblox Studio.
However, Roblox Studio should not be confused with the Roblox application for users. The Roblox app for users is used primarily for playing games and socializing on the platform rather than for developing Roblox games. Although testing and technical edits can be done from the Roblox app, no game creation outside of mods uploaded to them by the author or console development can be done from the Roblox app.
Why Create a Game Without Roblox Studio?
You may want to create a game in Roblox without Roblox Studio for the following reasons:
- Poor system requirements. For example, users on low-end Chromebooks found the software barely usable.
- Laggy performance, as users found the software prone to causing lagging and ultimately crashing the entire computer.
- Desire to use a coding program of your choice. For example, for platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot, custom environments are available to use their integrated development environments out of the box.
- Advanced functionality. Some creators may want to explore integrating functionalities, languages, and services available outside of Roblox.
- Team capability. Some companies think outsourcing may be a better solution to making high-quality games for the Roblox platform.
Create games without Roblox Studio by hiring the Techvalens Unity team because the Roblox platform uses the Lua programming language which makes it easy to switch between languages without a massive rewrite. This will open up the functionality of Roblox games to thinking about new languages, services, or approaches. In this case, it will be instrumental in using the third-party Unity game engine to create such Unity-built Roblox games.
Limited Features and Tools
When using code editors, there is no visual interface with the ability to easily Tweak UI via sliders, buttons, and input fields nor to use visual drag-and-drop editors (available in Roblox Studio so you have to manually create your game’s UI. Furthermore, the only way to generate scripts then build and do a quick test run of the game in roblox studio. This means without Roblox Studio people need to utilize third-party solutions that pose operational challenges. Altvr, Forerunner, and Mixamo are the three leading companies in this space according to Tiffin Henderson of Checkle’s.
Requires Download and Installation
Third-party Roblox modulation is not automatically integrated with Roblox and therefore requires each developer to have installed secondary software to run an idling program to automate their game. These third-party solutions are run using either a separate window or computer. Once developers familiarize themselves with third-party Roblox modulations and have installed the necessary software, the automated features should seamlessly work in the background making development as effortless as they choose.
Steep Learning Curve
Roblox Studio is not built for the layman thinking of dabbling in game development as a hobby. It is built for the high-functioning youth and young adults with an interest in technology and gaming. Anyone who sets about learning it should be prepared for a steep learning curve. A career as a programmer with a game design specialization is a long road of work and study and starting with Roblox Studio is no different. Fortunately, the Roblox Developer Hub is available for those with the discipline to self-educate.
What are the Alternatives to Roblox Studio?
The alternatives to Roblox Studio are Unity, Unreal Engine, and Prodigy Game Creation Tool. Unity and Unreal Engine are the most popular applications in the development of games for Steam while Prodigy Game Creation Tool is a great alternative for those looking to create educational games similar to Prodigy’s own games in Roblox.
Another alternative is to create text-based adventure games using programming languages like prominently Python and web-dev languages like CSS, JS, and HTML5 for UI. In this video tutorial, The Family Code shows a simple interactive game called Dungeon Escape made with using Python, the tkinter module, and a .txt file.
Roblox Studio Mobile
According to Roblox, Roblox Studio Mobile is a simple online game design platform resembling Lego blocks. Users of all age groups can develop new blocks through an intuitive process utilizing pre-existing game templates. They can also program a large library of Roblox APIs, physics engines, and hundreds of free and paid scripts to create animations and complex game worlds. As explained in the mobile gameplay video on the Create, Explore, and Play Together page, Roblox Studio Mobile is best used to develop simplistic game designs, while Roblox Studio for PC is most suited for more advanced game design. Creating a game in Roblox without Roblox Studio but with Roblox Studio Mobile is very straightforward. Users simply download and install the Roblox Studio Mobile app for iOS or Android. New game designs can then be created or old ones retained by navigating to the create section.
Features and game designs developed on mobile can be integrated and taken further on a PC with Roblox Studio. Roblox Studio Mobile also requires users to have an existing Roblox account.
Third-Party Game Creation Tools
There are two reasons to use third-party game creation tools for creating Roblox games outside of Roblox Studio. The first is to use their enhanced features. Third-party tools provide 3D templates, custom builders, advanced builders, and other unique features that may simplify some aspects of making a game in comparison to Roblox Studio. The second reason to use third-party game creation tools is if you are not a friend of Roblox or have problems with Roblox Studio.
There are few stand-alone tools besides Roblox Studio designed specifically for Roblox game creation. However, there are numerous 3D modeling software products that you can use in conjunction with Roblox Studio to import custom objects into it. These include Blender, Cinema 4D or C4D, Adobe Dimension, LightWave 3D and many other tools.
These tools are considerably more powerful and feature-rich than basic Roblox Studio and make advanced Roblox game development easier or bring an extra layer of sophistication to games. Play these games in Roblox to get ideas of how they were made. A search for ‘Adobe Dimension Roblox’ or ‘LightWave 3D Roblox’ will show which Roblox games used these special building tools, and which perhaps did not. Some of the other tools allow end-to-end development of games.
How to Create a Game in Roblox Without Roblox Studio?
You can create a game in Roblox without Roblox Studio by creating games directly in Roblox Web. This is the platform Roblox unveiled in 2021 that allows users to design, create, and manage projects directly from a visual and user-friendly interface.
You can access Roblox Web by simply switching from Roblox Studio to Web at the top of your Roblox Studio dashboard. As of June 2020, this feature became available and some original features like Team Create may not be fully accessible by developers in the web version yet.
Use Roblox Studio Mobile
Roblox Studio Mobile is a mobile game creation platform designed for creating Roblox games. It lets users create from the same base tools and assets that Roblox Studio features.
The mobile Studio is intended for use on iOS and Android tablets, although users can also create Roblox games on their phones. However, learning how to make a Roblox game on a phone is not easy as controls are harder on the screen of a phone.
Use Third-Party Game Creation Tools
While it is not yet possible to fully create a Roblox game without Roblox Studio, it is possible to use certain third-party game creation tools that expand utility. While Roblox Studio is the main game creation platform and all games must be published with it, certain tasks in game creation such as scripting and model creation can be done in third-party software tools before being imported into Roblox Studio.
Some examples of third-party software for creating advanced game models includes Blender and Cinema 4D, while prominent options for scripting and other software utility are Sublime Text, Notepad++, and Roblox Studio’s built-in code editor.
Artwork designs can be made in software graphics programs such as GIMP, Paint 3D, Photoshop.
What are the Steps to Create a Game Without Roblox Studio?
These are the main steps to create a game in Roblox without Roblox Studio:
- Acquire Roblox browser tools and software development kits (SDKs) to build your game.
- Develop the scripting component of the game.
- Make game experiences, visual assets, and add sounds.
- Design and create the game using F3x building tools or whichever in-game tool is most commonly used for games similar to the one you are building.
- Create animations and position them within the game environment.
- Place and add effects, decals, and gear in your game.
To create a game in Roblox without Roblox Studio, one must use the catalog of free Roblox tools and software development kits (SDKs) available to developers to build their Roblox game. Start by developing the scripts and then create game experiences, visual assets, and add sounds. Next comes game design, building with tools such as F3x or another building tool, and then the addition of animations and the placement of effects, gear, decals, and meshes to complete the game.
Although the SDKs in Roblox Studio ease the game creation process, utilizing them for development is not necessary as coding and development of the game and these tools can be done separately. Using the tools Found at This PC -> Local Disk (C:) -> Program Files (x86) -> Roblox -> Versions, from wittrup/funkyfr3, and codeRoblox in this way helps supplement the development process.
Choose a Game Creation Tool
Lightweight chainsawing, as the author of a list of 2021’s best Roblox alternatives to Roblox by DISTRATO describes it, is the ability of game developers to work on a game without having to download it via a game creation software. Technically, the only way to create a game in Roblox without using Roblox Studio is to take advantage of the platforms listed alternative game creation tools.
Nobody has built an alternative to Roblox Studio that creates games on the Roblox platform. Chances are most tools allow game making but limited in scope in comparison to the total platform, as well as specialization in their own unique ways such as using blockchain, VR, or app stores which Roblox does not support. Where they are available, the game making process using these tools follows mostly the same steps for creating a game on the Roblox Studio editor.
SVRF, for example, focuses on AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality). The platform has a very sophisticated game development environment, but its commercial direction lies in creating VR models and experiences ready for apps — especially AR and VR. Profile designer Truebones of SMB Studio uses Daz Studio to create and animate 3D characters who star in most Roblox games. By knowing your desired end-game, you decide how sophisticated you want to be for building individual games intended for Roblox. For popular games that need greater development control or ability to monetize through app stores or AR/VR, you might consider tools such as Baldi’s Basics.
Learn the Basics of the Tool
To create a game in Roblox without the Roblox studio, one must have a strong familiarity with Roblox Studio. The following tabs at the top let you create polygon models, test your game, and manage the game’s terrain. Explorer allows a developer to interact with assets and models within the game itself. Other features allow modification of lighting, audio manager, storage manager, and further model development.
Plan Your Game
You plan your Roblox game after you have determined your Why, What, When, Where, and How. The plan should contain the game objective, building map, game storyline, game language, game audio, game shop, game social, game administration, and game testing sections.
A Roblox game does not need too much planning as long as you have the basics down. The plan is simple and should focus on:
Objective: Why would a user play your game and why should they continue playing?
Map: Include level progression, an overview of game geography, effects, terrain, and game mechanics.
Storyline: Use the map to highlight main game challenges and associating rewards. Make sure to include the favorite user interaction points and user rewards highlighted on the map.
Language: The payoff message for each level as users advance in difficulty should be clear using the universal language of engagement, efficiency, and give the power toment. Make sure it aligns well with the game objective.
Audio: Ensure that audio cues help keep user engagement. These can include build environment audio, enemies approaching audio, countdowns, new rewards, and many others.
Game shop: Plan your shop to include in-game rewards at completion of levels to commercialize or accelerate the game experience through game bundles, boosters, potentials to partake in tournaments.
Social: Implement Roblox group chats at the beginning, middle, and end of level progression. Administration and testing: Have a legal framework in place and game testing mechanisms set up.
Create the Game Assets
Creating game assets refers to the ability to generate or import objects, terrains, characters, buildings, or other elements to populate a virtual world such as a Roblox game. To create Roblox developer-friendly game assets without Roblox Studio you should perform the following steps:
- Find or create images and 3D models. To get Roblox assets outside of Roblox studio, you can either download models from other sites like Github, Sketchfab, or the Roblox Asset Downloader, or use 3D modeling software such as Blender, Voxel, or Maya to create images and 3D models from scratch.
- Convert 3D models to fbx format. Export your OBJ, 3DS, or other 3D model to the Autodesk Filmbox format (FBX), as Roblox only supports asset files in FBX, OBJ, and DAE formats.
- Use third-party software to modify assets. Tools such as 3DC, Relay, Humanoid for Blender, and others may be used to adjust your assets to fit the size and limb characteristics of the Roblox imaging and rigging system.
Code the Game
This includes all aspects related to the in-game mechanics, including player and object movements and interaction with scripts. Roblox scripting is based on the Luau programming language and can be done in a few different ways, listed below.
- R-Sudio: R-Studio is a Roblox-dedicated IDE and can be used to edit the game code uploaded from outside ROBLOX Studio.
- VSCode: This is an all-purpose IDE that can be used for Roblox scripting if running a plugin called Rojo which allows it to sync/compile with an open Roblox project.
- Sublime Text: Sublime Text can be used for Roblox scripting if you have ROBLOX Studio open as it will connect to your Studio project.
- Standalone Roblox server with command-line interface: Build your game and place the build JSON file in the project directory.
- Terminal/Command-line/Batch interface: Edit the game code using JSON and scripts for coding specific tasks.
Test and Debug the Game
The final element of creating a game in Roblox is to test and debug the game. You can play the game in Personal, Studio, or Local mode. If you are in Personal and Studio mode, you can play as a solo player. In Local Multiplayer mode, you can play with friends who have access to your local network. Both of these options allow you to more easily notice bugs that don’t show up when your game is being tested under the conditions of your network connection, web servers, etc. You can also have a developer share different admin permissions on the game with different testers to see if the higher permissions introduce a new lag. You should also contact support if an issue occurs repeatedly even though you have solved it. Contact them if you see these errors displayed on the platform: `ID 17 – Incorrect Trust I/O básico security level!` or `Record Disallowed By Web Platform`.
Publish the Game
After the game and private servers are set up, you are ready to publish the game. The game can be published from the `Develop` tab of the Roblox website by clicking on the `Games` menu option. Click the `Create New Game` button, add the game’s name, description, and a relevant game icon. Check the `Active` box to designate the game as active and save your settings. This is it. Your game is now published.
The game can be found in the users’ public browser menu by typing the game’s name/developer name. The game can be shared with friends or opened to the public. The same website setting of `Public` will appear inside of the app UI which will allow the game to be made public and allows users to discover it.
If you wish to monetize the game using Roblox’s internal monetization system (Sales for newcomers), adjustments need to be made by going to the `Create/edit internal cash transaction for this game` section of the monetization page.
