I spent some time in Roblox, a popular platform among children and teens that lets users play and create multiplayer games.

Most of the games are free2play scams and obstacle courses but there are some fascinating titles as well [thread]

I enjoyed this one in which you have a few minutes to survive a random natural disaster (a reasonable gen-Z anxiety?) like an earthquake, acid rain, or a meteor shower.

The multiplayer camaraderie is really powerful, everybody panics, groups huddle together in safe spaces.

If you die you are teleported to an observation tower until the end of the turn and you get to watch the tragedy unfold. Clever way to deal with player elimination.

There are "educational" games about famous shipwrecks.

In this one I had to wait for another user playing as the captain to release the lifeboats (they half-assed it and we were left hanging)

In this prison simulator you can be an inmate or a guard. As a prisoner you literally just follow the schedule, hang out in the cell with nothing to do until...

...you seize the opportunity, sneak into the armory and start a massive riot!

Many games are elaborate suburban life simulators. Working at fast food restaurants, hanging out in parking lots at night...
I don't know if this is a Zoomer fantasy of normalcy, or a compelling scenario for the many non-western players.

I think indie developers are reluctant to talk about Roblox because its popularity is unfathomable.

A glitchy obstacle course made by a 12yo kid can have hundred of thousands of CONCURRENT users at any given time...

It's unsettling. It can make you question spending years and years crafting single player experiences for an oversaturated market.