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The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Millions are flocking to grow virtual gardens in viral Roblox game created by teenager
Whether it serves as a chill escape from the onslaught of the real world or simply a way to beat vacation doldrums, a viral Roblox game about gardening has become the surprise hit of the summer. Grow a Garden , created by a 16-year-old in a few days, has shattered records for the most concurrent players of any game in history, beating out video games that take years and millions of dollars to develop. And there's no one to shoot, fight or race. If your last attempt at cultivating vegetables was FarmVille in 2010, don't worry – your tomatoes will grow even if you never water them. Grow a Garden is as simple as its name suggests – players can fill a plot of land with plants and animals, harvest and sell, trade or steal each others' bounty. The game is low stress, with an aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft and a soundtrack of soothing classical tunes such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca playing in the background. Its popularity has further cemented Roblox' place not just in the gaming world but in popular culture – for better or for worse, it's where the kids hang out. "The word I keep hearing used over and over to describe this particular game is that it's chill, which is just such a nice alternative. I get a lot of sort of that Animal Crossing vibe from it. You know, like you can check in, you can check your gardens, you can get some new seeds, you can plant them,' said Betsy Bozdech, editorial director at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. "I have an 11-year-old son who (plays it) and he says to him the big difference is that a lot of games have a big giant objective that you have to do, but in Grow a Garden , you can just kind of hang out and do what you want.' Coincidence or not, Grow a Garden soared to popularity around the same time that Take-Two Interactive announced it would delay the launch of its wildly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 until next year. In late June, the gardening game logged 21.6 million concurrent players, surpassing Fortnite 's previous record of 15.2 million according to Roblox. Analysts who follow Roblox's stock say Grow a Garden is helping boost the company's revenue and will push the company's quarterly earnings numbers above Wall Street's expectations. While it's not clear if the GTA audience flocked to this simple gardening game to pass the time until then, the timing reignited the age-old debate about who gamers are and what titles are taken seriously by the video game establishment. It happened with Candy Crush , with puzzle games, with Animal Crossing . Are people who play cozy games true gamers? Or is the title reserved for the folks who shoot enemies in Call Of Duty or drive around creating mayhem in GTA ? "There's a huge percentage of gamers that play Roblox and the actual industry just views it as like this esoterically immature platform of weird gameplay habits,' said Janzen Madsen, the New Zealand-based CEO and founder of Splitting Point studios, which acquired the game from its teenage creator. "Well, I actually think in five years this is what player expectation is gonna be. And because you guys haven't embraced it, like you're not gonna know how to make games.' To start growing your garden, you'll need a Roblox account. The game will start you out with an empty plot and some money – sheckles – and a starter seed. From there, you can plant seeds, harvest and sell your crops and buy more seeds, animals or tools for your garden. While it is possible to play the game without spending real-world money, it will take longer. Once you sell enough crops, you earn money to buy more expensive seeds beyond basic carrots and blueberries. "For me, I just, I really want to get all the rarest stuff. I'm a completionist, so I want everything and that's what's fun for me,' said Leah Ashe, a YouTuber who plays Grow 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 everybody's shop is the exact same. So you can work with other people and be like, 'Oh my gosh, the sugar apple is in stock. Get online!' The seed shop updates every five minutes, so there's always something pulling you back into the game.' For Roblox, which has faced a backlash for not doing enough to protect kids on its gaming service, Grow a Garden has served as something of a reprieve – along with new safety measures such as chat restrictions and privacy tools. New players get help from 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 the right supervision and guidance,' Roblox can be a positive experience for kids, allowing them to create their own designs or practice coding, for instance. "Something like Grow a Garden, particularly, is a nice opportunity maybe for parents and kids to play together,' she said. And perhaps the slow cultivating of a magical garden can benefit parents too. "It's hitting a nerve, you know?' Bozdech said. "People need an escape from the world, I think we all do.' – AP
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Millions are flocking to grow virtual gardens in viral Roblox game created by teenager
By BARBARA ORTUTAY Whether it serves as a chill escape from the onslaught of the real world or simply a way to beat vacation doldrums, a viral Roblox game in the U.S. about gardening has become the surprise hit of the summer. Grow a Garden, created by a 16-year-old in a few days, has shattered records for the most concurrent players of any game in history, beating out video games that take years and millions of dollars to develop. And there's no one to shoot, fight or race. If your last attempt at cultivating vegetables was FarmVille in 2010, don't worry — your tomatoes will grow even if you never water them. Grow a Garden is as simple as its name suggests — players can fill a plot of land with plants and animals, harvest and sell, trade or steal each others' bounty. The game is low stress, with an aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft and a soundtrack of soothing classical tunes such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca playing in the background. Its popularity has further cemented Roblox' place not just in the gaming world but in popular culture — for better or for worse, it's where the kids hang out. 'The word I keep hearing used over and over to describe this particular game is that it's chill, which is just such a nice alternative. I get a lot of sort of that Animal Crossing vibe from it. You know, like you can check in, you can check your gardens, you can get some new seeds, you can plant them,' said Betsy Bozdech, editorial director at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. 'I have an 11-year-old son who (plays it) and he says to him the big difference is that a lot of games have a big giant objective that you have to do, but in Grow a Garden, you can just kind of hang out and do what you want.' Coincidence or not, Grow a Garden soared to popularity around the same time that Take-Two Interactive announced it would delay the launch of its wildly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 until next year. In late June, the gardening game logged 21.6 million concurrent players, surpassing Fortnite's previous record of 15.2 million according to Roblox. Analysts who follow Roblox's stock say Grow a Garden is helping boost the company's revenue and will push the company's quarterly earnings numbers above Wall Street's expectations. While it's not clear if the GTA audience flocked to this simple gardening game to pass the time until then, the timing reignited the age-old debate about who gamers are and what titles are taken seriously by the video game establishment. It happened with Candy Crush, with puzzle games, with Animal Crossing. Are people who play cozy games true gamers? Or is the title reserved for the folks who shoot enemies in Call of Duty or drive around creating mayhem in GTA? 'There's a huge percentage of gamers that play Roblox and the actual industry just views it as like this esoterically immature platform of weird gameplay habits,' said Janzen Madsen, the New Zealand-based CEO and founder of Splitting Point studios, which acquired the game from its teenage creator. 'Well, I actually think in five years this is what player expectation is gonna be. And because you guys haven't embraced it, like you're not gonna know how to make games.' To start growing your garden, you'll need a Roblox account. The game will start you out with an empty plot and some money — sheckles — and a starter seed. From there, you can plant seeds, harvest and sell your crops and buy more seeds, animals or tools for your garden. While it is possible to play the game without spending real-world money, it will take longer. Once you sell enough crops, you earn money to buy more expensive seeds beyond basic carrots and blueberries. 'For me, I just, I really want to get all the rarest stuff. I'm a completionist, so I want everything and that's what's fun for me,' said Leah Ashe, a YouTuber who plays Grow 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 everybody's shop is the exact same. So you can work with other people and be like, 'Oh my gosh, the sugar apple is in stock. Get online!' The seed shop updates every five minutes, so there's always something pulling you back into the game.' For Roblox, which has faced a backlash for not doing enough to protect kids on its gaming service, Grow a Garden has served as something of a reprieve — along with new safety measures such as chat restrictions and privacy tools. New players get help from 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 the right supervision and guidance,' Roblox can be a positive experience for kids, allowing them to create their own designs or practice coding, for instance. 'Something like Grow a Garden, particularly, is a nice opportunity maybe for parents and kids to play together,' she said. And perhaps the slow cultivating of a magical garden can benefit parents too. 'It's hitting a nerve, you know?' Bozdech said. "People need an escape from the world, I think we all do.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Grow a Garden, a simple Roblox game attracts millions of users as GTA VI gets delayed
Synopsis Amidst the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, a Roblox gardening game, 'Grow a Garden,' has become a global sensation. Created by a 16-year-old, it boasts over 21 million concurrent players, surpassing Fortnite's record. Its stress-free gameplay, reminiscent of Animal Crossing, attracts younger audiences. The game's success also highlights Roblox's improved safety features, offering a positive community experience. AP 'Grow a Garden' breaks records with 21.6 million concurrent players, surpassing fortnite, viral farming game becomes a digital escape for millions. Gardens are winning over guns. The delay of Grand Theft Auto VI may just be the reason why millions of gamers are flocking to a surprisingly peaceful alternative, Grow a Garden, a viral Roblox game. Developed in just a few days by a 16-year-old creator from New Zealand, the game has quickly become the unexpected hit of the to Roblox, it recently logged 21.6 million concurrent players, a new all-time record that surpasses Fortnite's previous high of 15.2 no combat, no chaos, and no high-stakes objectives, Grow a Garden offers a relaxed escape from the real world. Players begin with a small plot and a starter seed, growing and selling crops to gradually expand their can trade, harvest, or simply wander, all while enjoying soothing classical music, such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, in the background. The surge in popularity happened just weeks after Take-Two Interactive announced that GTA VI would be delayed until next year, a coincidence that has led many to wonder if players are seeking out calmer experiences in the meantime. The simplicity of Grow a Garden, with its pixelated, Minecraft-like visuals, is resonating especially with younger audiences and those looking for low-pressure, social gameplay. Editorial director Becky Bozdech of Common Sense Media told the Associated Press that the word most often used to describe the game is 'chill.' It evokes the laid-back style of games like Animal Crossing, allowing users to play at their own YouTubers with large followings have joined the frenzy. Popular YouTuber Jelly, who has more than 23 million followers, has combined GTA with Grow a Garden. He made a video headlining 'We Played Grow a Garden… In GTA Reddit post suggested the same, it said: 'People prefer Grow A Garden 2 over GTA VI' People prefer Grow A Garden 2 over GTA VI byu/Captain_Gamet inlies Beyond its gameplay, the game's success is also a bright spot for Roblox, which has faced criticism over child safety. New features like chat restrictions and gifting systems for new players have helped Grow a Garden serve as both a community hub and a viral sensation.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grow a Garden, a simple Roblox game attracts millions of users as GTA VI gets delayed
Viral Roblox Game in August 2025 Breaks Player Records Live Events 'Grow a Garden' Offers Stress-Free Gameplay Kids and Parents Can Enjoy Roblox Scores Big Win Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Gardens are winning over guns. The delay of Grand Theft Auto VI may just be the reason why millions of gamers are flocking to a surprisingly peaceful alternative, Grow a Garden , a viral Roblox game. Developed in just a few days by a 16-year-old creator from New Zealand, the game has quickly become the unexpected hit of the to Roblox, it recently logged 21.6 million concurrent players, a new all-time record that surpasses Fortnite's previous high of 15.2 no combat, no chaos, and no high-stakes objectives, Grow a Garden offers a relaxed escape from the real world. Players begin with a small plot and a starter seed, growing and selling crops to gradually expand their can trade, harvest, or simply wander, all while enjoying soothing classical music, such as Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, in the surge in popularity happened just weeks after Take-Two Interactive announced that GTA VI would be delayed until next year, a coincidence that has led many to wonder if players are seeking out calmer experiences in the simplicity of Grow a Garden, with its pixelated, Minecraft-like visuals, is resonating especially with younger audiences and those looking for low-pressure, social director Becky Bozdech of Common Sense Media told the Associated Press that the word most often used to describe the game is 'chill.' It evokes the laid-back style of games like Animal Crossing, allowing users to play at their own YouTubers with large followings have joined the frenzy. Popular YouTuber Jelly , who has more than 23 million followers, has combined GTA with Grow a Garden. He made a video headlining 'We Played Grow a Garden… In GTA Reddit post suggested the same, it said: 'People prefer Grow A Garden 2 over GTA VI'Beyond its gameplay, the game's success is also a bright spot for Roblox, which has faced criticism over child safety. New features like chat restrictions and gifting systems for new players have helped Grow a Garden serve as both a community hub and a viral sensation.
Boston Globe
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Millions are flocking to grow virtual gardens in viral Roblox game created by teenager
" 'The word I keep hearing used over and over to describe this particular game is that it's chill, which is just such a nice alternative. I get a lot of sort of that ' Advertisement FILE - The gaming platform Roblox is displayed on a tablet, Oct. 30, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Leon Keith, File) Leon Keith/Associated Press Advertisement Coincidence or not, 'Grow a Garden' soared to popularity around the same time that Take-Two Interactive announced it would delay the launch of its wildly anticipated 'Grand Theft Auto 6″ until next year. In late June, the gardening game logged 21.6 million concurrent players, surpassing 'Fortnite''s previous record of 15.2 million according to Roblox. Analysts who follow Roblox's stock say 'Grow a Garden' is helping boost the company's revenue and will push the company's quarterly earnings numbers above Wall Street's expectations. While it's not clear if the 'GTA' audience flocked to this simple gardening game to pass the time until then, the timing reignited the age-old debate about who gamers are and what titles are taken seriously by the video game establishment. It happened with 'Candy Crush,' with puzzle games, with 'Animal Crossing.' Are people who play cozy games true gamers? Or is the title reserved for the folks who shoot enemies in 'Call of Duty' or drive around creating mayhem in 'GTA'? 'There's a huge percentage of gamers that play Roblox and the actual industry just views it as like this esoterically immature platform of weird gameplay habits,' said Janzen Madsen, the New Zealand-based CEO and founder of Splitting Point studios, which acquired the game from its teenage creator. 'Well, I actually think in five years this is what player expectation is gonna be. And because you guys haven't embraced it, like you're not going to know how to make games.' Advertisement To start growing your garden, you'll need a Roblox account. The game will start you out with an empty plot and some money — sheckles — and a starter seed. From there, you can plant seeds, harvest and sell your crops and buy more seeds, animals or tools for your garden. While it is possible to play the game without spending real-world money, it will take longer. Once you sell enough crops, you earn money to buy more expensive seeds beyond basic carrots and blueberries. 'For me, I just, I really want to get all the rarest stuff. I'm a completionist, so I want everything and that's what's fun for me,' said For Roblox, which has faced a backlash for New players get help from more established peers who send them gifts and let them know when rare seeds become available in the seed shop. Advertisement Bozdech said that 'if you have the right supervision and guidance,' Roblox can be a positive experience for kids, allowing them to create their own designs or practice coding, for instance. 'Something like 'Grow a Garden,' particularly, is a nice opportunity maybe for parents and kids to play together,' she said. And perhaps the slow cultivating of a magical garden can benefit parents, too. 'It's hitting a nerve, you know?' Bozdech said. 'People need an escape from the world, I think we all do.'
