[ad_1]
We’re thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Summit Subsequent, hosted in San Francisco this October, the place we are going to discover the theme of “Taking part in the Edge.” Apply to talk right here and be taught extra about sponsorship alternatives right here.
Roblox’s inventory tumbled by over 20% because it introduced its Q2 2023 monetary outcomes. Whereas the corporate did improve bookings by 1% in comparison with Q1 to $780.7 million, this was not sufficient to offset lacking analyst expectations for playtime and every day energetic customers (DAUs).
Final quarter, Roblox customers spent 14 billion hours on the platform. This fell wanting analysts’ expectations of 14.4 billion hours of playtime. Equally, DAUs fell about 1% to 65.5 million from final quarter. Analysts anticipated the corporate to attain 65.8 million DAUs.
Notably, Roblox customers over 13 make up a barely bigger share of its participant base (56%) than it did in Q2 2022 (53%). Yr-on-year, customers underneath 13 grew by 17% whereas customers over 13 grew by 33%. That is considerably helpful as older customers performed for longer on common.

Whereas bookings and income (up 4% QoQ) did develop barely, this was offset by elevated prices. Roblox’s prices elevated by 31%, or $233.3 million, in comparison with Q2 2022. In fact, these rising prices eat into Roblox’s margins. Common bookings per DAU fell 3% to $11.92 in comparison with the identical quarter final 12 months, although it was up from Q1’s $11.70.

A few of this improve is because of the next headcount. Roblox has about 2,400 staff at present, about 500 greater than it did in Q2 final 12 months. Because of this, its personnel prices (excluding stock-based compensation) are equal to 30% of income or 26% of bookings. This a a lot greater share in comparison with Q2 2022, the place this class of spending was equal to 24% of income or 22% of bookings.

Inventory-based compensation can be a rising price for Roblox, growing 45% to $212.4 million in comparison with the identical quarter final 12 months. The largest will increase had been seen in Infrastructure and belief & security (up 66%) and Analysis and growth (58%).
With its commitments to security and an growing give attention to AI, Roblox probably employed high expertise with profitable inventory packages. In fact, the falling inventory value will influence how precious that is to staff with stock-based compensation.
GamesBeat’s creed when masking the sport trade is “the place ardour meets enterprise.” What does this imply? We wish to inform you how the information issues to you — not simply as a decision-maker at a sport studio, but additionally as a fan of video games. Whether or not you learn our articles, hearken to our podcasts, or watch our movies, GamesBeat will enable you to be taught concerning the trade and revel in participating with it. Uncover our Briefings.