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
Raph Koster calls potential manipulative MMO microtransaction AI ‘horrendous’
Here is some nightmare fuel for gamers imagining the future of the industry. How about an artificial intelligence that deliberately manipulates and messes with...
Conan Exiles is working on making the UI more communicative and creatures more expressive
The team behind Conan Exiles has been working hard over the past week, but a lot of that work has gone to the art...
Prosperous Universe expands its team to three, starts to map out the future
It's been a couple of months since we last checked in with Prosperous Universe, the indie economic sandbox set in space. So what has...
The Immortal Rift invites testers to join this month’s closed beta
How about a brand-new indie online RPG to brighten up your playing prospects this spring? Meet The Immortal Rift, a medieval fantasy MMO full...
Perfect Ten: RIFT features that deserve praise
Maybe it will be short-lived, but it is exciting to see attention and excitement return to the sphere of RIFT following the announcement of...
EVE Online outlines February development, vows it’s ‘coming for the bots’
What's coming in EVE Online's February 13th patch? The game's latest development preview explains that Upwell structures will finally be getting the promised revamp, which...
Black Desert preps ‘flirtatious’ Valentine’s event, new guild boss
Today's Black Desert update is a wee one in preparation for next week's holiday.
"Valentine’s Day is coming up next week and you will see...
The Daily Grind: How do you feel about the increased focus on PvP in upcoming MMOs?
Don't look now, but PvP is coming -- and it's coming to almost every new MMO in development. It only recently hit me just...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 156: Downfalls and uprisings
Justin and Bree discuss MMO and MOBA sunsets, WoW's Battle for Azeroth, Alganon, DDO, Star Citizen, and Blade & Soul, plus a bit about Ultima Online and LOTRO, with mailbag questions on Guild Wars 2's classes and the state of MMO communities.
EVE Evolved: A matter of balance in EVE Online
Throughout its almost 15-year lifetime, EVE Online has walked a fine line between developing new features and iterating on existing gameplay. Development has to...
The Daily Grind: What would you pay for an MMO subscription in 2018?
Here's something you probably didn't know about Camelot Unchained: Yes, it'll have a sub, but it won't be $15. Mark Jacobs re-confirmed that it'll be...
DayZ is targeting Xbox Game Preview at some point this year
When you think of DayZ these days, you probably don't think of it as the nexus of the survival sandbox popularity rush any longer....
Black Desert’s costume contest has begun with a $10000 grand prize
Last week, Black Desert teased its upcoming costume contest, and now we've got the full details. The big prize, of course, is the chance...
The Daily Grind: What’s the most unused place or feature in your favorite MMORPG?
I really like abandoned places in games. One of my favorite articles ever was about Glitch, after it sunsetted, when I recapped my experience...
The MOP Up: Overwatch rings in the Lunar New Year (February 4, 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...
Global Chat: To RIFT or not to RIFT?
Everyone's talking about RIFT's new Prime server idea -- and whether or not it will get us playing Trion Worlds' fantasy MMO once again....
The Black Death shows off graphical improvements and an upcoming wiki revival
Despite its subject matter and, well, name, The Black Death is not a particularly unattractive game. That doesn't mean it can't use a bit...
Massively Overthinking: What are your criteria for recommending MMOs?
Last week, we got a well-intentioned email from a reader named Rick, who proposed a column in which readers tell us what they are...
Destiny 2 outlines its development roadmap while it’s gotta go fast
The latest development roadmap for Destiny 2 has arrived, and it's pretty expansive. It covers updates through May, which winds up being the next...
Star Citizen touts Squadron 42 progress, monthly studio report, and the 3.0.1 alpha
The Star Citizen crew is back to work on Squadron 42 in 2018, as chronicled in the latest episode of Around the Verse. The...
