Starting on ROBLOX

     I'm sure creating fancy games is a dream all ROBLOXians share. While creating a game with fun mechanics seems like a good idea at first, there is something deeper and more complicated to it. In ROBLOX, this is called scripting. It's where you create all of the functions of the game with a programming language (and, yes, there are multiple programming languages). There is only one programming language that ROBLOX uses to let you create what you want, and it's called Lua.

     According the book I'm reading, Lua itself is a very difficult language that is hard to understand. On the other hand, with the ROBLOX engine, it is a lot easier (mainly because a bunch of presets are added to lighten the load). If you're wondering what this ROBLOX engine is (let's just refer to it as ROBLOX), it is an online game where you... well, make your own online games. You can sign up and check out what other skilled game creators have made here.

     You do not need a huge building and scripting experience for this. I will be sure to efficiently tell you what you need to do to create a functioning script (part of the game's code). There are also helpful models on the Develop ► Library page that you can use for your games. Just be aware, overuse of them is frowned upon and people will... deeply hate you. But that's just a minor detail.

     Now that I have that cleared up, it's time to get started! First up on the agenda, you might want to create a new place to test the code I will present to you later on. To edit your place, you click on the "Configure" button on the main page everyone sees when viewing your game (don't worry, they can't see those buttons). Here, you can edit the name, description, access, and more. You can also set the player limit, the amount of users that can be in a server (or the game) at one time. If no servers are available, the game will be copied into a new server (and will be listed in the Games tab on the bottom of the normal page). The copylock option is pretty self-explanatory. It prevents people from being able to use your game as their own. Also, there is an option that allows certain types of gears, items their owners can interact with and use on others, into your game. Just be aware, there is a gear called the "Golden Fleece" that allows players to fly. It's labeled categories are Navigation Enhancer and Personal Transport. If you do not check any of the boxes, no gear will be allowed (which is what I recommend). I'll let you figure out the other settings yourself. Just remember to always click the "Save changes" button (running servers are not changed).
     It doesn't matter whether or not you make your game active or inactive from the Develop page (active meaning it shows up on your profile and anyone can play it, inactive evidently meaning the opposite) at the moment. Also, just so you know, the description should be what the game is about and maybe some help if people might need it. I'm also hoping you know what to do with the name. Both have a character limit, though, so be careful.

     But, other than that, just make the game any way you want. Just be sure to choose a starter map from the "Basic" section, because the other templates have preset scripts that will get in the way, but you can use them to your advantage when you get a good scripting experience later on.

     If you already know everything I just said, you are definitely prepared to start building a game. You have to be painfully specific in programming. You have to answer who, what, where, why, when, and how for who, what, where, why, when, and how. This... is not good motivation to get you interested. But, once you get familiar with programming, it will all be worth it. You'll be able to create games as fantastic as your favorites! Maybe even better.
     If you are just starting on ROBLOX, you might want to go around for a bit, learning about everything. While you are doing that, I will be concluding this article. See you next time! Also, why don't you check out my Python blog (Python being another programming language) if you want? You'd be surprised, if you know more about that, then ROBLOX Lua is easier.