Epic Games and The LEGO Group announced today that they are partnering to create a metaverse "for kids," raising questions about what that could look like, as many have noted that there's yet to be a truly successful metaverse for adults so far.

"The two companies will team up to build an immersive, creatively inspiring and engaging digital experience for kids of all ages to enjoy together," the press release reads. "The family-friendly digital experience will give kids access to tools that will empower them to become confident creators and deliver amazing play opportunities in a safe and positive space."

From the press release, it sounds like what Epic and LEGO are working on is essentially a VR version of Roblox featuring Legos. It's unclear how this new experience will avoid Roblox's long history of being not safe for children. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney noted they will achieve a kid-friendly metaverse with three steps:

"Protect children’s right to play by making safety and wellbeing a priority.

Safeguard children’s privacy by putting their best interests first.

Empower children and adults with tools that give them control over their digital experience.

Everything about the project sounds extremely vague at the moment, leading to inherent distrust from critics and social media users who suspected the "kid-friendly metaverse" endeavor will turn out to be little more than a video game, if it turns out to be "kid-friendly" at all.

Do I need to remind Lego that all their past attempts to create a big online games have failed miserably? Or do they think that the newfangled word "metaverse" will save them? https://t.co/YONjTfRVMh pic.twitter.com/mR7yvy7bc7

— Akmu (@AkmuUserName) April 7, 2022

Am I the only one seeing this and thinking how we're just fooling ourselves with the metaverse fad calling it new?

Platform/video games have been doing this thing for YEARS but y'all thought it was for geeks. Club Penguin, anyone? https://t.co/Tler4pRGmb

— Virgilio (he/him) – (@VirgilioJarrin) April 7, 2022

The biggest problem with this is that they're using the Metaverse name when it doesn't really apply.

What LEGO & Epic are actually doing sounds more like a Roblox ripoff or a kid friendly non-vr VRchat. https://t.co/0J6djU4STv

— Galvara (@GalvaraNuva) April 7, 2022

Every time somebody mentions the m3tav3rs3, my fight or flight response is engaged https://t.co/sz9ZayazjA

— CaptDedEyes 👀 Looking for Illustration work! (@CaptDedEyes) April 7, 2022

Time will tell what the culmination of the LEGO and Epic partnership will look like, but for now, there are many doubters that the pair will fulfill their grand ambition and check every box they're aiming for.