Summary of "How The Developers Killed Royale High"

Summary of How The Developers Killed Royale High

Game Storyline and Rise to Fame

Royale High was originally launched in 2017 by a Roblox player named Call Me Age Bob (Barbie) under the title Fairies and Mermaid Wings High School, a magical school roleplay game. Players followed a daily schedule of classes, earned diamonds, and customized their characters and dorm rooms. Due to copyright issues, the game was renamed Royale High.

The game’s unique social interaction—meeting and befriending players in-game—helped build a dedicated community. Its open-ended gameplay made it perfect for YouTube content, leading to millions of views and rapid player growth. By October 2020, Royale High peaked at over 341,000 concurrent players, becoming Roblox’s fourth largest game.

Gameplay Highlights

Players earned diamonds by attending classes and completing quests.
Diamonds were used to buy fashion items and customize characters.
Social hubs like the cafeteria encouraged roleplay and meeting new friends.
Seasonal updates and new campuses kept the content fresh and engaging.

Economic Issues and Developer Decisions

Rapid player growth flooded the in-game economy with diamonds, causing inflation and skyrocketing prices for rare items. In response, developers removed many diamond spawn points to curb inflation. This made earning diamonds much harder, frustrating players who now had to grind excessively.

As a result, many players turned to profit trading rare items, shifting the game’s focus from roleplay to trading and collection. This change damaged the social dynamic and caused many players to leave.

Broken Promises and Content Delays

In April 2020, Barbie announced a new third campus, promising a September 2020 release. However, the campus was delayed repeatedly over three years with little communication, causing community frustration and distrust.

When Campus 3 finally released, it was visually impressive but lacked meaningful content—missing social hubs like the cafeteria and offering only one class. Shortly after, developers scrapped Campus 3 and announced Campus 4, further angering players.

Community Backlash and Controversies

Barbie faced accusations of dishonesty and poor communication.
A Black History Month update was canceled, leading to accusations of performative activism and sparking heated debates.
Barbie and her team were criticized for silencing creators and influencers who voiced criticism.
YouTuber Call Me Haley had her influencer badge removed after making jokes and critical videos about the game.
Barbie’s husband, Lance, posted controversial tweets defending police brutality, worsening the public image.
Developers enforced a strict code of conduct forbidding criticism, alienating the community further.

Decline and Competition

Due to lack of meaningful updates, toxic community management, and controversies, Royale High’s player base plummeted from hundreds of thousands to just a few thousand. Players and creators began migrating to newer games like Dress to Impress, which gained popularity due to better development and community management.

Once a beloved Roblox fashion and roleplay game, Royale High now struggles to maintain relevance.

Key Points and Tips

Royale High’s success was built on social interaction and roleplay, not just cosmetics.
Inflation and poor economic management led to player frustration.
Trading shifted focus away from roleplay, damaging the game’s core appeal.
Transparency and communication from developers are crucial for maintaining player trust.
Community management that silences criticism can backfire, causing player loss.
Competition in the Roblox fashion/roleplay genre is fierce; developers must innovate and respect their communities.

Featured Gamers and Sources

Call Me Age Bob (Barbie) – Original developer of Royale High
Call Me Haley – YouTuber and community influencer who criticized the game and faced repercussions
Community discussions from Reddit and Twitter (e.g., r/RoyaleHigh, #ownup Barbie hashtag)
YouTube content creators who popularized Royale High gameplay and trading tutorials