The Olympic world\u2019s ever-expanding quest to draw in young fans is meeting them where they are \u2014 on Roblox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Olympic team and NBC are collaborating with the kid- and teen-friendly gaming platform to produce a new \u201cObby\u201d \u2014 that\u2019s Roblox for obstacle course \u2014 and other features that include ways to interact with U.S. athletes while also checking out highlights from the\u00a0Paris Games\u00a0and making visits to a virtual Team USA House called \u201cThe Vibe House.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new Roblox feature debuting Monday includes animated versions of 20 U.S. Olympians, including a surfer, a skateboarder and two break dancers \u2014 all of whom represent sports that have been added recently to the Olympic program in hopes of driving young fans to the games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy sister-in-law said my nieces are going to be more excited about me being in Roblox than me being in the Olympics,\u201d said one of the breakers, 35-year-old Sunny Choi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roblox says more than half of its 77.7 million daily active users are between 11 and 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choi and breaker Victor Montalvo will be featured in \u201cEmotes\u201d \u2014 animated versions of themselves that will feature some of their favorite dance moves. Four of their Emotes will be available for free, with the other available for purchase, and some of the proceeds going directly to the athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company says these are the first \u201cofficial\u201d Emotes created in Roblox based on real athletes and their actual moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI did it because I just thought it was adorable and I\u2019ll take any opportunity to share breaking with the wider community,\u201d Choi said. \u201cIt\u2019s so great for kids. The messaging in the game, for me, is very much about \u2018be you and do what makes you happy.\u2019 So hopefully, that resonates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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