Engaging young people with current events, news, and journalism in a fun and active way? That’s the mission of NOS Jeugdjournaal — the go-to news source for children in the Netherlands.
Previously, we helped NOS Jeugdjournaal launch a Roblox experience and it was an instant hit. In just two weeks, over 125,000 unique young players visited the NOS TV studio inside the popular game Roblox.
3D & Role Playing Game in Roblox
Building on this earlier success, we took it a step further, creating an even richer educational experience. How? By combining 3D world-building with Role Playing Game (RPG) elements, we developed a dynamic environment where kids don’t just follow the news, they actively engage with journalism.
Try it Yourself!
Doel: Jongeren actief verbinden aan NOS Jeugdjournaal
NOS Jeugdjournaal had a clear goal: to offer a platform where young viewers don’t just consume news passively, but actively engage with it. The aim? To spark curiosity and foster a questioning mindset toward news and journalism.
But the challenge went beyond simply sharing information. NOS Jeugdjournaal wanted children to become an active part of the journalistic process itself.
Ook willen ze aandacht vragen voor het toenemende probleem rondom nepnieuws.
Met de sterke opkomst van gaming platforms zoals Roblox onder de jonge doelgroep, wilde NOS Jeugdjournaal op onderzoek uit. Kon dit platform een nieuwe manier zijn om in contact te blijven met hun kijkers, hen actief te betrekken en zo hun interesse in actualiteiten te vergroten?
Solution: Inspiring the journalists of tomorrow through play
Our response to this challenge? A fully interactive Role Playing Game (RPG) experience within Roblox. Here, kids get the chance to step into the shoes of a NOS editor. We added elements that directly reflect the journalistic cycle, from spotting fake news and marking breaking stories on the map, to hopping in their very own NOS van to report on the scene. They can take news photos and even present the news alongside a virtual camera operator. In this playful way, children explore all the different facets of news production.
Why is Roblox the ideal platform for this?
It offers both massive reach and the flexibility to build and expand. By designing a gameplay experience full of interactive features like quizzes, scavenger hunts, and weekly challenges, we created a lasting, meaningful experience. Dynamic elements, including a realistic 3D replica of the NOS studio and a custom-built city, keep players coming back and staying engaged.
Result: Over 50,000 young users reached in just 2 days
Test, learn, and grow. Within the first two days after launching the expanded experience, we reached 50,000 new young visitors, and that number has since grown to over 325,000. This experience allows kids to explore the news and journalism in a completely fresh and engaging way.
The success of this second phase highlights the power of innovative media applications on popular platforms like Roblox. It shows how even traditional news programs can connect with the youngest generations in a way that truly resonates.
This Roblox experience proves that journalism education for kids can take an exciting new path, one that teaches through play, while forging a meaningful connection between children and current events.
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