Sandboxes are a type of MMO that emphasize player freedom and expression. They frequently include mechanics for building, crafting, trading, character customization and development, roleplaying, destruction, and significant interaction with the world and other players. A sandbox that is dominated by an open-PvP or free-for-all ruleset is sometimes pejoratively called a gankbox. Contrast with the themepark.
sandbox
One Shots: There are many thrones, but this one is mine
In most of our real homes, the only throne we have does unspeakable double duty and isn't something we'd show off to visitors. But...
EVE Online outlines timeline details and term limits for the next Council of Stellar Management
The Council of Stellar Management (CSM) is going to be changing in EVE Online, and not just because the 15th elections are planned. There...
The Stream Team: Can’t keep up with the Astroneer clean up
Just like your house, cleaning in Astoneer is never done. Massively OP's MJ started the big clean up project last week, but she's got...
The Game Archaeologist: The history of play-by-email games
For most all of human history, people who wanted to play a game together usually had to be in physical proximity with each other....
Life Beyond’s latest update opens up more of the map’s edges
Give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above. Don't fence me in. The devs of Life Beyond have heard you, Gene Autry,...
Star Wars Galaxies Legends is hosting newbie welcome events this weekend
When I first dipped my toe into the Star Wars Galaxies Legends rogue server two years ago, the game routinely hovered around a peak...
Star Citizen answers questions about the Quantum system, talks about its new work-from-home life
Earlier this week we told you about an upcoming AMA from Star Citizen focused on Quantum, the background simulation that will effectively let the...
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG boasts the best animal husbandry or taming system?
Last week, we wrote about Project Gorgon's animal husbandry system thanks to a tip from MOP reader Dalton, and I have to say I...
Massively Overthinking: Would you play a housing-only MMO?
Last week, MOP's Justin put up a neat post on his personal blog about the potential for bringing back just the part of WildStar...
Elite: Dangerous’ next round of fleet carrier beta testing will carry over data from current player accounts
It's time to start saving those credits, Commanders. The next round of beta testing for Elite: Dangerous fleet carriers is coming soon, and on...
MMO Business Roundup: Warcraft modding, Valve source code leaks, and Nvidia goes good
Welcome back to another roundup of MMO (and MMO-adjacent) industry news!
Warcraft modding: Polygon has an interesting explainer up on Blizzard's recent changes to its...
Shadow Arena launches into early access on May 21
The date has finally arrived for the start of general access to Shadow Arena! And we mean that quite literally. The date for when...
Legends of Aria’s May update will add new PvP zones and themed seasons
With its paid Dark Sorcery DLC a few weeks behind us now, you're probably wondering what exactly is next for sandbox MMO Legends of...
Choose My Adventure: Survive the Disasters 2 is a perfect Roblox game
We close out this month's little sojourn through the world of Roblox with what is easily one of my favorite titles ever created on...
MapleStory throws a pixel party and welcomes MapleStory 2 refugees
There should be a rule that if your MMORPG makes it to 15 years, then you can celebrate it any way you want without...
Black Desert boosts rewards, adds new systems; Black Desert Mobile goes to a secret place
There's a bunch of new stuff in the latest patch to Black Desert. New reusable consumable items? Sure thing, you can assemble some concentrated...
Albion Online’s PvP meta-disrupting ninth guild season begins May 16
Early this morning, Albion Online's Sandbox Interactive laid out the roadmap for the next Guild Season - its ninth so far. The key dates...
Check out Cosmonaut, a fan-created monthly Star Citizen magazine
Fan creativity is always one of the cooler things to see, and the fanbase of Star Citizen looks to have some similarly creative folks....
Fallout 76 NPCs can (and will) loot your corpse and take your shiny weapon
With the addition of NPCs to Fallout 76, things in the multiplayer game have certainly shifted for the better, but it also doesn't seem...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 268: Second chances in the apocalypse
Justin, Bree, and Colin discuss Phantasy Star Online 2, Fallout 76, Holly Longdale's move to Blizzard, WoW Classic, WoW, Star Trek Online, with adventures in LOTRO, Elder Scrolls Online, City of Heroes, and SWG Legends, plus mailbag topics on FFXIV's dungeon problem, favorite MMO group roles, and specific gamer types as warning signs for games.
