Inside the Roblox Game Buying Frenzy: How Teen Developers Are Becoming Millionaires

A new economic frontier is emerging inside the pixelated worlds of Roblox, and it’s turning teenage hobbyists into millionaires almost overnight. What was once a platform for user-generated mini-games is now at the heart of a Roblox game buying frenzy that’s reshaping the gaming industry. With titles selling for seven and even eight-figure sums, investors and gaming studios are racing to acquire hit games, creating an aftermarket economy that rivals traditional gaming in scope and profitability.

The $3 Million Teen Success Story

The best illustration of this trend is the sale of Blue Lock: Rivals, a fan-made soccer game inspired by anime, created by a 19-year-old developer who remains anonymous. Built in just three months with a small team of collaborators, the game went viral, attracting over 1 million concurrent players and generating $5 million per month in microtransactions for Roblox Corp.

In March 2025, Blue Lock: Rivals was bought by Do Big Studios for more than $3 million. The teenage developer’s story is not unique. In fact, it’s emblematic of a larger transformation on the Roblox platform—where the business of buying and selling games has become a thriving industry all its own.

The New Roblox Economy: Bigger Than You Think

Roblox began as a digital sandbox for user-generated experiences. Now it’s evolving into a creator economy powerhouse, fueled by policy changes and surging demand for in-game content. According to Naavik’s David Taylor, seven out of the 15 top-grossing games on Roblox in June 2025 were acquired titles.

This wave of acquisitions followed a critical policy shift in December 2024, when Roblox updated its terms of service to allow easy ownership transfers. Previously, such transactions were against community guidelines. The change has unleashed a flood of secondary market activity, with developers selling their creations for millions—often over Discord, behind usernames and avatars.

Who's Buying? Meet the New Titans of Roblox

Several companies are aggressively acquiring popular Roblox games to build portfolios akin to mobile gaming empires.

1. Do Big Studios

This powerhouse recently purchased a stake in Grow a Garden, now the most-played game on Roblox with 21 million concurrent users—even surpassing Epic’s Fortnite at its peak. Do Big also owns Blue Lock: Rivals and is rumored to be scouting additional properties for acquisition.

2. Voldex Entertainment

Founded by 24-year-old Alex Singer, Voldex is another major player. Backed by Raine Group and Shamrock Capital, Voldex acquired Brookhaven RP earlier this year, reportedly for a price that exceeds Embracer Group’s $100 million purchase of Welcome to Bloxburg in 2022. Voldex previously bought Driving Empire and Ultimate Football, later rebranded as NFL Universe Football through a deal with the NFL.

“When more dollars are paid to creators, it attracts more talent,” said Singer, highlighting how Roblox has created a fully capitalist environment that rewards creativity.

3. Splitting Point

Another emerging name, Splitting Point was behind the purchase and re-launch of Grow a Garden, just weeks before Do Big acquired it. Their strategy appears focused on identifying viral hits and optimizing them for long-term engagement and monetization.

Why This Frenzy Is Happening Now

Several forces have converged to fuel the Roblox game buying frenzy:

• Policy Changes: Roblox now officially allows ownership transfers, legitimizing the secondary game market.

• Monetization Milestones: Roblox is expected to pay out over $1 billion to developers in 2025. Its top 10 developers earned an average of $36 million each over the past year.

• Youth-Led Innovation: Teenagers and young adults are building these games, often in small teams or solo, and then selling them while still in high school.

• Investor Interest: With daily active users nearing 100 million, brands and studios see Roblox as the next big advertising and IP platform.

How the Deals Work

While many of these transactions happen quietly, behind Discord usernames and private chats, lawyers like Adam Starr and Connor Richards say they’ve handled dozens of such deals. Contracts can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar agreements, and many creators choose to remain anonymous.

In some cases, original creators stay on board after selling, working alongside the acquiring company to update and expand their game. In other instances, buyers assign dedicated developer teams to analyze player data, introduce monetization strategies, and add new features.

The Value of Roblox IP and the Rise of Game-Flipping

Interestingly, many of the top-selling games are fan-made adaptations of existing franchises. Blue Lock: Rivals, for example, is based on a popular Japanese manga. This raises questions about IP rights, yet fan-based content often thrives in Roblox’s gray area of community-driven creativity.

These games are also highly volatile in terms of player interest. According to Naavik, many developers sell their games for the equivalent of just 1–2 months of revenue due to fears of falling out of favor. Conversely, buyers often assess long-term profitability and brand integration opportunities, not just immediate cash flow.

What It Means for the Future of Game Development

This shift has broader implications for the gaming industry:

1. Decentralized Development: Anyone with creativity and basic scripting knowledge can now build a multimillion-dollar franchise from their bedroom.

2. Democratized Publishing: Roblox has become a launchpad for young developers who may not have the capital or connections to build games on traditional engines.

3. Creator-First Economy: Roblox's payouts are becoming competitive with other platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and far surpass mobile app stores in percentage share.

4. IP as Currency: With major labels, sports leagues, and even movie studios exploring Roblox campaigns, owning successful games is now a form of digital real estate.

   
   

Risks and Challenges

Despite the hype, there are risks to this new ecosystem:

• Short Shelf Life: Games can go viral and then collapse in days or weeks.

• IP Lawsuits: Developers working with unlicensed characters risk legal takedown.

• Platform Dependence: Game creators are entirely at the mercy of Roblox’s algorithms and policy decisions.

• Burnout: Young developers who suddenly find themselves with money and fame may struggle to manage the pressures of monetization and community maintenance.

Conclusion: The Frenzy Is Just Beginning

The Roblox game buying frenzy is no passing trend. It marks the beginning of a new era in gaming where user-generated content, micro-transactions, and digital ownership converge. With billions flowing into this space and teenagers cashing out on million-dollar deals, Roblox is no longer just a game platform—it’s a digital gold rush.

And for aspiring developers, the message is clear: your game could be the next Grow a Garden or Blue Lock: Rivals. In the new Roblox economy, all it takes is one hit to change your life forever.