Roblox, the game creation and multiplayer platform, has made a strategic move by acquiring Speechly, a Helsinki-based Finnish start-up. This acquisition is aimed at improving the moderation of voice chat interactions on the Roblox platform.
In the past, Roblox has faced criticism for its inadequate moderation in areas such as advertising. With the introduction of voice chat, the platform faces new challenges in effectively monitoring and policing user interactions. By leveraging Speechly’s expertise in AI voice moderation and integration, Roblox hopes to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for its players.
In a blog post, Hannes Heikinheimo, co-founder of Speechly, expressed his excitement about joining Roblox and their shared vision for safe and civil immersive communication. He mentioned how Speechly’s AI expertise will help evolve traditional methods of moderation to meet the dynamic needs of a user-generated content (UGC) platform like Roblox.
The acquisition of Speechly highlights the significance of accelerating the inclusion of full voice chat on the Roblox platform while addressing the common issues of abuse and anti-social behavior among players. As players on mobile devices often find it challenging to communicate quickly through text chat, voice chat provides a more accessible means of interaction and expands the platform’s audience.
This move by Roblox also demonstrates their commitment to enhancing their platform while tackling moderation concerns that have previously plagued the game platform.