Building games @Roblox Engineering Lead @ITV

United Kingdom
Joined March 2018
When I was writing Unreal Engine 1, my time was divided as follows: - Around 30% went to seriously deep coding on hard problems: assembly language texture mappers, C++ BSP trees, data persistence, object oriented systems design, and networking. - Around 70% was just typing and refactoring large bodies of code needed for a complete engine feature set. This was not hard, and while I was doing it my mind was mostly on the deeper coding topics, thinking and planning for what's next. It didn't feel much different from vibe coding today, except that it was just me typing code on an IBM Model M keyboard rather than prompting it and reviewing the results. So, it has always seemed perfectly logical that we would rely on AI for that 70%, once the AI could do it with a similar quality standard as we could, which has never been perfection. It came as no surprise that, after a few years of AI model evolution, it was able to take the reigns on that 70% and free up programmers' time for more valuable tasks. What's more of a surprise is the emergence of AI as a sort of insta-Carmack able to solve hard technical problems quite cleverly and often cleanly, and that it's able to reason about and work in complex 3D scenes both by operating the tools and by directly understanding the raw data files. I abandoned assembly language in 1998 when out-of-order CPUs made much simpler C/C++ code faster, and never I missed it. If prompting through architectural documents, concept art, and design plans can transcend typing code and tweaking vertices, that will enable developers to spend their time on higher-level, higher value technical and creative tasks. What matters is the end product, whether it's a game or an engine. Anything developers can do to try out more ideas and make better software and games faster is a win for everyone.
975
1,640
388
18,740
1,578,214
i need healing! #Roblox #RobloxDev
19
221
1
2,465
33,246
a lof of people mad at Epic, but this is simply another showcase of pragmatic thinking from an experienced team. AI is here, it's useful, it's not going away. We should learn how to use it to create more and better products. pretending nothing is changed is not an option.
Replying to @technosucks
Our more modest aim is to survive the AI revolution, help other developers do the same, and come out on the other end making better code and content faster.
34
19
1
423
12,472
This is irrelevant because all software will be-and mostly now is-heavily built using AI. That is the new standard. You could have a ‘not built with AI’ label but you’re assuming people will care. If you care about this now it’s because you have an outdated view.
I think Roblox would do us all a favor if they added this.
1
3
147
The technical landscape has shifted. You will eventually be using AI heavily in your workflow. When you finally get your head around that, tech leaders will have paved the way for you. If you’re a programmer and think you’ll only ever manually type code you’re already behind.
We have a huge pivot underway here at Epic, moving developers around to retool for maximum AI acceleration. The aim isn't to do the same stuff with fewer people, but to enable everyone here to build MORE and BETTER stuff, and to bring the benefits to all teams using Unreal.
17
Watching people prompt large software projects as someone who’s spent most of their free time designing systems and writing code for the past 20+ years while working professionally as a programmer for the majority of that time is a unique experience, that’s for sure…
26
Zyth retweeted
2.5D (?) has been achieved internally #Roblox #RobloxDev
35
91
4
2,324
67,675
RDC Highlights in no particular order: 2D tools and ortho camera Root motion animation Storefront support(!!) Offline game support Studio teleporting Roblox bank card New terrain system Assets as folder paths Moderation callback on server New anti cheat Queue based matchmaking and compute And there’s so much more! Proud of how well we’re supporting creators. #roblox #rdc2026
9
3
2
135
6,082
RDC, I am inside you. 👀
66
122
9
3,034
92,472
Roblox is now letting you add Game Shortcuts to Mobile
49
77
12
1,215
103,833
Here's almost three minutes of footage of my custom, physics-based, Luau FSM-driven character controller running near flawlessly under the server authority API at 50ms of simulated latency. Misprediction rate is near zero. Round of applause to the whole SAuth team! #RobloxDev
Server Authority is now available for all creators. Block physics-based exploits like speed hacks without custom anti-cheat code, while prediction and rollback help preserve a responsive player experience. Learn more on the #RobloxDev forum. devforum.roblox.com/t/full-r…
11
11
333
30,458
Zyth retweeted
Our Terrain Early Access program is live. Get an early look at tools that enable larger, more immersive worlds with performance optimizations and up to 64 custom materials. #RobloxDev Learn more and sign up below. devforum.roblox.com/t/early-…
354
204
63
2,235
562,916
246
2,094
131
15,233
527,359
I'm looking for native #RobloxDev based in the UK that has a few years experience under their belt for a 6 month contract with a prestigious studio. Let me know if you're interested #Roblox #GamesProgramming #UK
1
4
374
2018: "Roblox is dying" 2019: "Roblox is dying" 2020: "Roblox is dying" 2021: "Roblox is dying" 2022: "Roblox is dying" 2023: "Roblox is dying" 2024: "Roblox is dying" 2025: "Roblox is dying" 2026: *Roblox becomes biggest gaming platform ever* "rOblOx iS dYing"
This might be the end of Roblox. 🧵
109
55
14
984
77,876
Scene Analysis has finally shipped! Ever wanted an easy understanding of your memory usage in Roblox linked directly back to the instances and scripts causing it? Well here you go! Full announcement at: devforum.roblox.com/t/studio… #roblox #robloxdev
19
25
6
561
34,265
Zyth retweeted
One week to go for release, packing in all the last minute goodies. Like auto-lodding, 2D spritesheet support, new Sandbox features, a ton of spring cleaning and a healthy dose of bug fixes. sbox.game/news/update-26-04-…
40
65
14
1,036
77,414
Accountability is the word that's going to keep coming up over the next few years, it's the obvious differentiator between human and #AI
36
tl;dr If a platform this big don't put proper age restrictions in place for UGC content they will cease to exist. The privacy issue that sits external to this is going to be an internet-wide issue in the years to come though, I think.
Matt Kaufman has responded to the backlash over Roblox's new age check and safety requirements.
1
95