Millions are flocking to grow virtual gardens in viral ‘Roblox’ game created by teen

Whether it is a fresh escape of the assault of the real world or simply a way to beat the vacation slumps, a viral game Roblox on gardening has become the surprise success of summer.

Grow A Garden, created by a 16 -year -old in a few days, broke records for the most simultaneous players from all the games in history, beating video games that take years and millions of dollars to develop.

And there is no one to shoot, fight or run. If your last attempt to grow vegetables was Farmville in 2010, do not worry – your tomatoes will grow even if you never sprinkle them.

The culture of a garden is as simple as its name suggests – players can fill a plot of land with plants and animals, harvest and sell, exchange or steal the generosity of the other. The game is a low stress, with an aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft and a soundtrack of soothing classic pieces such as Rondo Alla Turca de Mozart in the background. Its popularity has still cemented Roblox’s place not only in the world of game, but in popular culture – for better or for worse, this is where children hang out.

“The word I continue to hear used again and again to describe this particular game is that it is cold, which is just such a beautiful alternative. I receive a lot from this atmosphere of crossing animals. You know, as you can save yourself, you can check your gardens, you can get new seeds, you can plant them, “said Becky Bozdech, non -profit editorial director. “I have an 11 year old son who (plays) and he tells her that the big difference is that many games have a big giant goal you have to do, but by cultivating a garden, you can just go out and do what you want.”

Coincidence or not, Grow A Garden has climbed into a popularity at the same time as Take-Two Interactive announced that it would delay the launch of its large Auto 6 flight until next year. At the end of June, the gardening game recorded 21.6 million simultaneous players, exceeding the previous Fortnite record of 15.2 million according to Roblox. Analysts that follow Roblox’s actions say that Growen has been helping to increase the company’s income and will push the quarterly results of the company above Wall Street expectations.

Although it is not clear if the GTA public flocked to this simple gardening game to pass the time until then, the timing has rekindled the secular debate on which are the players and the titles taken seriously by the establishment of video games. It happened with Candy Crush, with puzzle games, with an animal crossing. Are people who play comfortable games the real players? Or is the title reserved for people who shoot enemies in Call of Duty or to the creation of chaos in GTA?

“There is a huge percentage of players who play Roblox and the real industry considers it as this esoterically immature platform of strange gaming habits,” said Janzen Madsen, CEO of New Zealand and founder of Spliting Point Studios, who acquired the game of its adolescent creator. “Well, I actually think that in five years, that’s what players will be waiting for. And because you haven’t kissed it, as you don’t know how to play games.”

To start cultivating your garden, you will need a Roblox account. The game will start with an empty plot and money – song – and a start -up seed. From there, you can plant seeds, harvest and sell your crops and buy more seeds, animals or tools for your garden. Although it is possible to play the game without spending real money, it will take more time. Once you sell enough crops, you earn money to buy more expensive seeds beyond basic carrots and blueberries.

“For me, I really want to get all the rarest things. I am complex, so I want everything and that’s what is fun for me,” said Leah Ashe, a YouTuber who plays to develop a garden and other popular games to an audience of 5.3 million. “It’s really cool because you can come together because the seed shop is global, so everyone’s shop is exactly the same. So you can work with other people and be like: “Oh my God, the sugar apple is in stock. Online comedians! The seed shop is updated every five minutes, so there is always something that pulls you in the game. ”

For Roblox, who has faced a backlash so as not to do enough to protect children on his game service, Grow A Garden served as a stay – as well as new security measures such as cat restrictions and confidentiality tools.

The new players get the help of more established peers who send them gifts and let them know when rare seeds become available in the seed shop.

Bozdech said that “if you have good supervision and good advice”, Roblox can be a positive experience for children, which allows them to create their own conceptions or practice coding, for example.

“Something like growing up a garden, in particular, is a great opportunity perhaps for parents and children to play together,” she said.

And maybe the slow culture of a magic garden can also benefit parents.

“It strikes a nerve, do you know?” Bozdech said. “People need an escape from the world, I think we are all doing it.”