Learning how to make a simulator in Roblox Studio is basically the rite of passage for every aspiring developer on the platform. If you've spent any time on the Roblox front page, you've seen them: Weight Lifting Simulator, Bee Swarm Simulator, Pet Simulator X—the list goes on forever. They're weirdly addictive, and honestly, they're one of the best ways to learn the ropes of game design because the core mechanics are actually pretty straightforward once you break them down.
You don't need a PhD in computer science to get started. At its heart, a simulator is just a loop: you click something, you get a "strength" or "coin" point, and then you spend those points to get better stuff so you can click faster. It's that simple "number go up" psychology that keeps people coming back. Let's dive into how you can build your own from scratch without losing your mind.
Getting the Basics Ready
Before you even touch a script, you need to have a clear idea of what your simulator is actually about. Are people swinging swords? Eating pizza? Lifting massive weights? Pick a theme and stick to it for now. Once you've got that, open up a fresh Baseplate in Roblox Studio.
The first thing every simulator needs is a way to track progress. In Roblox, we call this "Leaderstats." This is that little board in the top right corner of the screen that shows everyone how much money or power you have. Without this, your players won't have that sweet, sweet sense of competition.
To set this up, you'll want to head over to the ServerScriptService and create a new Script. You can name it "Leaderstats" so you don't get confused later. Inside, you're basically telling the game, "Hey, every time a player joins, give them a folder called 'leaderstats' and put a value inside it called 'Strength' (or whatever you want to call your currency)."
The Clicker: Making Things Happen
Now that you have a place to store your points, you need a way to earn them. Most simulators use a "tool" that the player holds. When the player clicks while holding that tool, their stats increase.
However, there's a little hurdle here that trips up a lot of beginners: the difference between the Client and the Server. If you just write a script inside the tool that adds +1 to the player's strength, it might show up on their screen, but the game server won't actually "see" it. This is how you end up with a game that's super easy to hack.
To fix this, we use something called a RemoteEvent. Think of it like a secure phone line. When the player clicks (the Client), they send a message through the RemoteEvent to the Server saying, "Hey, I clicked! Give me a point." The Server then checks if that's allowed and updates the Leaderstats. It's a bit more work up front, but it saves you a massive headache later on when exploiters try to ruin your game.
Designing a Tool That Doesn't Look Like Junk
You can't just have players clicking their empty hands—well, you can, but it's not very exciting. You need a 3D model. If you're not a pro at 3D modeling in Blender yet, don't sweat it. You can use the built-in parts in Roblox Studio to make something simple, or grab a basic mesh from the Toolbox.
Just remember, if you want the player to hold it, the main part of your tool needs to be named Handle. Once you've got your handle, drop it into a "Tool" object in the StarterPack. Now, when you play-test the game, your character will actually be holding the item. It's a small detail, but it makes the game feel ten times more "real."
The Dopamine Loop: Creating a Shop
If players just click forever and the number goes up but they can't buy anything, they're going to get bored and leave in about thirty seconds. This is where the Shop UI comes in.
Creating a GUI (Graphical User Interface) can be a bit intimidating because there are so many buttons and settings. Start simple. You need a "Shop" button on the side of the screen that opens a frame. Inside that frame, put a button for an upgrade—maybe a "Golden Sword" that gives +5 strength instead of +1.
The logic here is similar to the clicking mechanic. When the player clicks "Buy," you need to check if they have enough currency in their Leaderstats. If they do, subtract the cost and give them the new tool. Pro tip: make sure your UI scales correctly! There's nothing worse than making a beautiful shop on your big monitor only to have it look like a jumbled mess on a mobile phone. Use UIAspectRatioConstraints to keep things looking sharp.
Adding Some Juice (Visuals and Sound)
A simulator that just changes a number is okay, but a simulator that feels "juicy" is a hit. "Juice" is the extra stuff—the particles that fly out when you click, the "cha-ching" sound when you buy something, and the way the UI buttons slightly grow when you hover over them.
In Roblox Studio, you can use the TweenService to make your UI animations look smooth instead of snappy. Also, don't underestimate the power of a good Sound Effect. A satisfying pop or click every time a player gains a point makes the repetitive clicking feel like much less of a chore. You can find tons of free sounds in the Create tab, just make sure they aren't copyrighted or super annoying.
Mapping and World Building
Once the scripts are working, you need a world for your players to hang out in. Most simulators use a "low-poly" style because it looks clean and runs well on phones. You don't need a massive open world; a medium-sized circular or square arena with some colorful trees and a few buildings is usually plenty.
Think about adding zones. A lot of top-tier simulators lock certain areas behind a "Strength Requirement." This gives players a long-term goal. "I need 5,000 strength to enter the Volcano Zone!" This keeps them clicking and gives them a reason to keep playing your game for more than five minutes.
Testing and Balancing
This is the part where most people get lazy, but it's actually the most important step. You need to play-test your game—a lot. Is it too easy to get the best item? Is it so hard that people get frustrated?
Invite some friends to play and watch them. Don't tell them what to do; just see if they can figure out how to play on their own. If they're confused about where to click or how to buy things, your UI probably needs some work. Balancing the "economy" of your simulator is a balancing act. You want the player to always feel like their next upgrade is just out of reach, but not so far away that it feels impossible.
Final Thoughts on Your Simulator Journey
Figuring out how to make a simulator in Roblox Studio isn't a one-day project. It's a process of trial and error. Your first version is probably going to have some bugs—maybe the shop doesn't work right, or the leaderboard resets randomly—and that's totally fine. Every big dev on the platform started exactly where you are, googling why their script isn't working.
The cool thing about the Roblox community is that there are endless resources. If you get stuck on a specific piece of code, there's likely a DevForum post or a video explaining exactly how to fix it. The key is to keep it simple at first. Don't try to make the next "Pet Simulator 99" on your first go. Build a basic clicking loop, make it look decent, and get it published. You can always update it later!
Now, stop reading and go open Studio. That "Create" button isn't going to click itself!