Roblox’s New Licensing Platform Lets Creators Build Games with Stranger Things, Blue Lock, and More

You might have heard stories like these before. Take the 2016 fan-made game Pokémon Uranium, a high-quality project that took a fan nine years to complete, only to be taken down by Nintendo shortly after its release. Or the Super Mario 64 remake in Unity that went viral online, only to be swiftly removed by official orders.

We all understand the importance of copyright and the need to protect the hard work of original creators. However, in reality, these protective measures sometimes leave fans' love and creativity with nowhere to go, especially when it comes to mobile game monetization.

Roblox Makes Legal Fan Creations a Reality

Roblox is set to change the fan creation dilemma. The company has announced a comprehensive IP licensing system that allows creators to legally, quickly, and even profitably use well-known IPs for their creations, potentially revolutionizing mobile game monetization.

And Roblox isn't partnering with just any small brands. They've teamed up with major IP holders like Netflix, Sega, Kodansha, and Lionsgate.

For instance, Netflix has made Stranger Things and Squid Game available for licensing on the platform. Lionsgate has opened up IPs like Twilight, Saw, Now You See Me, and Divergent. Sega allows players to legally create within the world of Yakuza. Kodansha has brought in Blue Lock and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and even previously held an Attack on Titan creation contest. These collaborations, once only dreams, can now be licensed and developed in just a few days, offering new avenues for mobile game monetization.

Creators can browse available IPs like shopping in a mall. (Source: Roblox)

Why Is Traditional Licensing So Difficult?

The traditional IP licensing process is like running a marathon. You need to find the right rights holders (often there are several for one work), hire lawyers to review contracts, ensure the other party is willing to license, afford the cost, and align the collaboration timeline with your creative pace. Worse yet, UGC creators are often small teams with no connections or resources, making even sending the first email a daunting task.

Platforms also face their own challenges. Everyone knows creators love using IPs, but without proper licensing, there's a risk of infringement. Platforms can either ban it and be criticized for "stifling creativity," or allow it and risk lawsuits from brand owners, leaving them stuck in a difficult position.

This is the tricky part of fan creations—they often sit in a gray area between creativity and legality. When creators make tribute works out of passion, it's hard to determine if it's fair use, transformative creation, or crossing a legal line, especially when considering mobile game monetization.

Roblox Bridges the Gap Between IPs and Creators

Roblox is attempting to solve this long-standing issue by proactively creating a dedicated, streamlined licensing fast track for both brands and creators. Brands can register with License Manager to self-publish IP terms, set revenue shares, and scan the platform for unauthorized use. Creators can apply for licenses, await approval, and even establish further collaborations with IP holders, enhancing opportunities for mobile game monetization.

A licensing process that used to take over two months can now be completed in just a few hours. For any UGC team accustomed to "building as they go," this is a massive boost in productivity.

Interestingly, Sega officially licensed a fan-made game called "Kamuro District" by Roblox players at the end of 2023. This game, based on the Yakuza series, recreated the Kamurocho setting and character interactions with high-quality production and scene recreation, sparking discussions on Reddit. What seemed like an exception might now be seen as a precedent for the platform's institutionalized licensing, further impacting mobile game monetization.

When Fans Truly Become Creators

We often talk about the "creator economy" but overlook the fact that fans have always been eager to create. They write novels, draw illustrations, make games, and edit videos. However, these creations were previously confined to forums or niche fan circles, rarely entering the mainstream content market.

Now, through Roblox's IP licensing platform, "fan creations" have the potential for monetization and legitimacy. Works born out of passion can finally receive the recognition they deserve, opening new doors for mobile game monetization.

Of course, innovation in systems always comes with its challenges. How will the quality of licenses be controlled? What kind of transformations can brands accept for their works? How should revenue sharing be designed to attract creators while ensuring brands don't lose out? If a creator misuses an IP, who is responsible for handling or mediating ?

These are the challenges Roblox will face next, and other platforms looking to follow suit must consider these system details. But at least, Roblox has taken the first step.