Roblox changed the “oof” sound due to a licensing issue. The iconic sound was originally created by Tommy Tallarico for a game called Messiah in 1999. Roblox unknowingly used this sound without realizing it was copyrighted. When Tallarico discovered this, he sued Roblox in 2020.
To resolve the issue, Roblox and Tallarico reached an agreement. Roblox could keep the “oof” sound, but they had to create a sound marketplace. In this marketplace, developers could purchase the “oof” sound for $1. This allowed Roblox to continue using the sound legally for a time.
However, the agreement between Roblox and Tallarico seems to have ended. As a result, Roblox had to remove the “oof” sound and replace it with a new default sound. This change was necessary to avoid further licensing problems and legal issues.
While many players miss the original “oof” sound, the change ensures that Roblox complies with copyright laws. The new sound is different but serves the same purpose for in-game interactions. This change highlights the importance of copyright awareness in game development.