Grow a Garden, a virtual gardening simulation game on the Roblox platform, has become a surprising hit with over 16 million weekend players and about 9 billion visits since its launch in March.
Developed by Janzen Madsen and a team at Splitting Point Studios, the game lets players cultivate virtual plots, buy seeds, and watch plants grow even when offline. Players can harvest, sell produce, and engage in light competition with friends.
Eight-year-old Eric Watson Teire from Edinburgh describes the game as fun and relaxing, appreciating the patience it requires. His brother Owen enjoys the competitive aspect, comparing the value of different virtual plants.
Roblox, with nearly 98 million daily users earlier this year, is a major platform for young gamers, particularly those aged 8 to 12 in the UK. Grow a Garden appeals mainly to younger players, with 35% under age 13.
The game includes an in-game currency, Robux, which can speed gameplay. Some rare virtual items have been sold online for hundreds of pounds, highlighting the game’s economic aspect.
Experts are cautiously optimistic about the game’s influence. Professor Andrew K. Przybylski of Oxford University suggests the game might inspire some interest in real gardening but doubts it will lead many to take it up. Professor Sarah Mills of Loughborough University notes that the game’s reward system can affect children’s experiences with money and presents challenges for families.
Gardening enthusiast and BBC presenter Thordis Fridriksson hopes the virtual experience might encourage players to try gardening in real life, pointing out the shared appeal of nurturing growth.
Meanwhile, the Teire brothers enjoy both their digital and real gardens, though Owen prefers the virtual version.