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
Thespian deer and bunny invasions come standard in Project Gorgon
The creators of Project Gorgon are a neverending fount of interesting ideas and unique systems -- so much so, in fact, that some days...
The Cycle is a PvEvP ‘shooter with a twist’ that bucks the battle royale trend
Berlin-based studio YAGER recently took the wraps off The Cycle, a "first-person shooter with a twist" that somehow looks a lot like a survival...
Project Oasis World looks like GTAO with all the murder and mayhem stripped out
So here's a new one for us: It's a game called Project Oasis World, and that name seems apt because while it's technically an...
ArcheAge, Trove producers address Trion layoffs, tell players not to worry
Last week's Trion Worlds layoffs appeared to have hit ArcheAge particularly hard, with the loss of a well-known producer to the eliminated positions, on...
EVE Evolved: Four changes to improve EVE Online for new players
A few months ago, I created a new character and ran through the new player experience for an article on how to get new...
The MOP Up: Gnomeland Security orders EQ2’s Tinkerfest (July 22, 2018)
The MMO industry moves along at the speed of information, and sometimes we’re deluged with so much news here at Massively Overpowered that some...
RuneScape preps player-owned farms, pushes forward with mobile MMO testing
Time for a huge RuneScape progress update, so let's cover all our bases with one energetic post, shall we? Starting with the signature game,...
MapleStory 2 somehow ‘sells out’ of founder’s packs
Artificial scarcity or necessary action? Either way, fans are going to have a hard time securing a founder's pack for Nexon's upcoming MapleStory 2,...
One Shots: Party animals
Apologies for the disruption in the normal One Shots schedule over the past couple of weeks, but we're back and freakishly abnormal! Everyone behave...
Ultima Online plans rentable storage vaults for F2P players, plus new castle and keep designs
With the game's 100th patch in the rear-view mirror, Ultima Online's developers are already hard at work on the 101st patch due out in...
The Game Archaeologist: Kesmai’s Air Warrior and Legends of Kesmai
Most studios would be overjoyed to have pioneered one significant advancement in video game history, but then again, most studios aren't Kesmai. While it's...
Fractured’s player city system is the evolution of Star Wars Galaxies
MMORPG sandbox Fractured has five days to secure another 16K to make its $116K Kickstarter goal - and it just broke the $100K barrier...
Star Citizen is working on the AI patrols to make griefing much harder, reveals medical concept ship sale
On this week's episode of Star Citizen's Around the Verse, Sandi Gardiner and Chris Roberts recap "emergent gameplay" events recorded by the community, including...
Black Desert dives down into underwater dungeons
You know where's a really great place to build a dungeon? Under the ocean. Sure, there's the bends, flesh-rending sharks, and a severe lack...
Trion Worlds has been hit with layoffs, loses ArcheAge associate producer
Trion has confirmed the layoffs - we've updated below.
Trion Worlds in general and ArcheAge in specific are going through a turbulent time this week...
ArcheAge’s July content update adds sport fishing, expands fresh start server content
Despite the slightly awkward name -- "Phase 4: Reign, Part 1," really, Trion? -- this week's ArcheAge content update is chock-full of fun for...
EVE Online is planning to weaken Force Auxiliaries
It's just too easy for Force Auxiliaries to heal other ships right now in EVE Online. That's the reason behind the balance proposal put...
Darkfall: Rise of Agon looks forward to big new systems like dynamic housing
The last patch for Darkfall: Rise of Agon had a whole gaggle of stuff in it. There's even a video walking through all of...
Black Desert overhauls node and conquest wars, extends and buffs its summer events
It's been a rocky morning for Black Desert, as its planned patch maintenance took a few extra hours and is currently causing some unresolved...
Lawsuit continues against Trion Worlds and ArcheAge’s 10% discount snafu
Three years in, a player-led lawsuit against Trion Worlds concerning false advertising and lockboxes in ArcheAge continues to bounce around the California court system.
The...
