The idea, first conceived by Gene Roddenberry for Star Trek’s “holodeck” (first appearance in The Practical Joker, a 1974 episode of the animated series), has eluded developers for good.

Since the dawn of the Roblox metaverse, players have represented themselves with unique usernames. Some even take hours on end to settle on a creative name.

The success of video game platform Roblox raises questions about its economic model. Children and teenagers are essential cogs in a machine that is now drawing the attention of French lawmakers.