Minecraft vs. Roblox is a big battle between two of the leading sandbox games. They both let players build and explore worlds, go on adventures alongside others, and create something akin to using digital Lego bricks. Even so, there are differences you’ll want to know about before choosing one. This post will look at Minecraft vs. Roblox in a number of areas, and which one’s best for you (or your child).
Minecraft vs. Roblox: Gameplay
On the surface, both Minecraft and Roblox look similar, although they have different gameplay mechanics.
Minecraft has more of a fixed mechanics system. The game is played from a first- or third-person perspective, and allows you to engage in basic activities like building, mining, farming and fighting with a melee weapon. There are no guns in Minecraft (unless you mod the game), and the combat is decidedly non-violent and “cartoony”, with very simple animations.
Historically, Minecraft was known for its Survival mode, which throws you into a world filled with resources, and where zombies come out at night. You can play this single-player or cooperatively with several other players.,
But what’s really given Minecraft its longevity is the Creative mode, which removes health and the mining mechanics to let you loose and create without fear of attacks from enemies. Some of the creations that people have made over the years have been nothing short of incredible, and really justify the game’s label as “virtual Lego.”
In contrast, Roblox is more like a toolbox for creating games. Your imagination is your limit here, with shooters, strategy games, “tycoon” games, simulators, and more available. For example, you have games such as Jailbreak, where you must prevent or carry out a bank heist, and Theme Park Tycoon 2. The survival-horror Piggy franchise, a survival horror game, is one of the most popular Roblox games available.
That means that every experience you find on Roblox is handcrafted by other players. Of course, the quality varies greatly, but excellent filtering systems make it relatively easy to find the types of games you want and ensure they’re of a high enough quality for you to play.
Here’s a list of some of the best Roblox games to give you an idea of what to expect:
Also read: How to Fix Roblox Not Updating or Downloading on Your Mac
Minecraft vs. Roblox: Popularity
Because Minecraft has had a long period of recognition, many believe Roblox to be aping the block-based builder genre. In truth, Roblox is older by three years, although it hasn’t always had the popularity of Minecraft.
You can see from the trends that Minecraft had peak popularity around the mid-2010s, and has seen peaks every so often since then. The global pandemic turned Roblox into a juggernaut.
Roblox skews more to the younger demographic than Minecraft. Roblox will suit the very young (i.e. four or five years old) better, though both games are popular in their own right.
Minecraft vs. Roblox: Parental Controls
Because many children play both games, parental controls should be a consideration when choosing a game.
With Minecraft, this is all handled within your device’s and Microsoft accounts. For example, the Xbox Bedrock Edition requires you to set console-wide parental settings, especially for marketplace transactions. There’s a poor mechanic here, where a child’s account can’t purchase Minecoins, but a parent can’t transfer them either.
On the other hand, Roblox handles parental controls and consent in a fantastic way. There’s a dedicated page for parents that explains what Roblox is and how children keep safe on the app. For example, there are clothing detection algorithms, customizable controls, chat filters, and more.
Minecraft vs. Roblox: Price
If you’re a parent comparing Minecraft vs. Roblox, the price is going to be a big consideration.
The base game of Roblox is the same across all major devices, and free to play too. Many created worlds are free to play too, though the higher-quality ones tend to require ‘Premium’ access as their creators are allowed to monetize them. All that said, you could technically play Roblox without spending a cent.
There’s an in-game currency, Robux, that is bought using real-world money. Some games charge Robux for access, and just because a game is premium, doesn’t mean there’s quality control applied.
There are also subscriptions, which give you a set number of Robux per month and a discount on further purchases., which isn’t going to be suitable for some children. If you’re a creator, this is likely something you’ll opt for.
In contrast, Minecraft has several different versions. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Minecraft: Java Edition
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Price: $27
The one where it all started. The Java Edition of Minecraft in some ways represents the true freedom and original experience of Minecraft. In some ways, the Java Edition is the “Roblox of Minecraft,” in that it’s a pretty open platform that can be heavily modded and on top of which players can build their own standalone games (like Bed Wars).
The Java Edition is also used as something of a testing bed for Minecraft, and is more likely to get new features that may or may not make it into the Bedrock Edition.
Oh, and the Spectator and Hardcore Modes are exclusive to this version too.
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition/Minecraft
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Price $20-27 (console/PC), $7.50 (iOS/Android)
The most common edition of Minecraft out there currently, and the most robust. This version lets you crossplay with people across all platforms. A key thing to note is that most versions of “Bedrock Edition” are actually just called “Minecraft” these days, and the default versions you’ll find on PS4/PS5, Xbox, PC, Android and iOS are indeed the Bedrock Edition.
While the Bedrock Edition has a lot of modern conveniences, it has a more tightly controlled ecosystem, which means modding is limited and there’s more paid content to buy via the in-game currency of Minecoins.
Minecraft: Education Edition
Platforms: PC, Android, iOS
Price: $1-$5 per month per user
This version of the game is designed for the classroom, teaching children to code, design games within Minecraft, and have a ton of fun while doing it. This version comes with over 600 lessons (and the ability to create your own), as well as other teacher-oriented features like collaboration on documents, assessments and coding information.
Also read: 6 Cool Sandbox Games Similar to Minecraft
How Both Games Deal with Microtransactions
When examining microtransactions in Minecraft vs. Roblox, both have a microtransaction system and include virtual currency.
With Minecraft, you’ll buy Minecoins to use in the Marketplace.
There are many different types of “packs” to buy, such as textures, skins, and more. There are also mini-games and adventure packs, too. Microsoft’s connections mean you can find top-notch adventure worlds to purchase, such as Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog that don’t resemble Minecraft at all.
Roblox uses a freemium business model, although you can access most of the game without needing to pay. The most prominent use of microtransactions are with player skins – clothing for your character. You’ll also find that some games, such as Jailbreak. will also have extra purchases.
We’d say that the Minecraft way of handling microtransactions is easier to “police,” and there is often more value in what you buy than Roblox. On the other hand, part of the Roblox experience is about kitting out your character to show off to others, but all that changes with a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Minecraft and Roblox made by the same developer?
No. Although they look the same, they’re not similar other than in the “block-like” visuals.
2. Can users play cross-device with both Minecraft and Roblox?
Examining cross-device play in Minecraft vs. Roblox is another way the two games differ. With Roblox, you can play on your Android mobile while someone else in the room will be on their Windows PC. With Minecraft, you can play both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition with others, but you can’t mix the editions.
3. Which is easier to set up for a child’s account: Roblox or Minecraft?
In our opinion, Roblox is by far the most straightforward to set up when it comes to accounts for children. It’s almost as simple as setting up an account for yourself.
We should pay special attention to Minecraft here, because it’s such a complicated process that it could put lots of parents off. You may also want to add in-game currency to either Roblox or Minecraft. If you purchase as a parent, this is a simple process. Though, if you wish to add currency for a child, the process is more involved.
4. Can either game inspire my would-be coder child?
Both Roblox and Minecraft support modding and hacking. In particular, Roblox is set up for exactly this. Though, we’d say that due to the programming language used and the interface, it’s not the most optimal for children learning to code or developing their skills.
Minecraft is top-notch when it comes to mods, especially for younger players. You can use a number of different programming languages, such as Java and Python. What’s more, there are many course platforms that let you learn how to both code and mod Minecraft at the same time – Tynker is a standout service.
If you own a Raspberry Pi, you could also turn it into a Minecraft server. Alternatively, for something more casual and instant, see our list of hidden Google games.
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