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
Fractured Online boss says he’s signed a ‘big deal’ to secure the future of the MMO
Kickstarted MMORPG sandbox Fractured has either had a terrible year or a startling year, depending on how you look at it. In January, the...
The Quinfall promises better comms, dupe rollbacks, and avoidance of wipes as it adds a new anti-cheat
It's been a pretty bumpy ride through early access for survival sandbox MMO The Quinfall, particularly in recent weeks when a coin duping exploit...
APB Reloaded has finally reopened its test server after nearly a month offline
APB Reloaded and Fallen Earth are finally on the verge of restoration after nearly a month of struggles.
Readers will recall that both Little Orbit...
RuneScape is getting a new boss as Jagex CEO Phil Mansell is stepping down
On the heels of RuneFest, we're witnessing a changing of the guard at Jagex: CEO Phil Mansell is stepping down. Mansell has served as...
The Daily Grind: What MMO gameplay feels like ‘homework’ rather than fun?
One of the reasons I've been enjoying Guild Wars 2 so much for the the last seven months is that it doesn't assign me...
Apogea is a developing sandbox MMORPG that relishes challenge and a stated lack of direction
If you decided to blend RuneScape and Tibia together with the sensibilities of the more "hardcore" MMORPG lovers, then what you might end up...
Pixel-y multiplayer survivalbox Tinkertown confirms a launch on Nintendo Switch March 10
Over the past little while, Tinkertown has resurfaced to make some major reveals including a full release in 2023 and arrival to Xbox consoles...
Monsters & Memories dates its next open playtest for April 11, firms up its early access launch plans
Monsters & Memories has had open test weekends a few times along its development track, so hearing about a new one isn't necessarily a...
Stars Reach’s Kickstarter broke half a million dollars already, deep-dives the fishy princess Hansian species
Less than a week into its whirlwind Kickstarter - remember, we didn't even know there'd be a Kickstarter two months ago! - Stars Reach...
The Daily Grind: How do you define what counts as a ‘classic’ MMORPG?
Readers know that every year, we give an award for the classic MMO of the year. And every year there's a fresh debate over...
Massively on the Go: Pokemon GO’s Might and Mastery Season is looking weak for March
Pokemon Go's still in the middle of its Unova's Global Tour this weekend, but we've also been warned of the March 4th start of...
RuneFest 2025: Old School RuneScape’s new Sailing skill enters open alpha later this month
The revivified RuneFest event brought Old School RuneScape fans a 2025 update plan of its own, and as one might expect, there was a...
RuneFest 2025: RuneScape gets Leagues and new profession level caps in 2025, new vampiric region in 2026
Are you ready to deal with vampires in RuneScape? You'd better be because the major reveal from this year's returning RuneFest event is the...
Whatever happened to Minecraft-esque multiplayer sandbox Hytale?
Who here recalls Hytale? We first started reporting on this one back in 2018 and have seen it pop up on the wider radar...
The Stream Team: The great crashed ship salvaging operation in Planet Crafter
Last time Massively OP's MJ was in Planet Crafter, she discovered a very large crashed ship while zooming about enjoying her new vehicle. That...
MMO Hype Train: What can Dune Awakening’s character creator teach us about the MMO?
Sometimes when it rains, it really pours around these here MMO parts. To demonstrate this, last week we not only got the official release...
ArcheAge Chronicles luminary Jake Song leaves XLGames, the company he founded, to ‘recharge’
Jake Song, a name that many MMORPG fans are familiar with for his involvement with the ArcheAge and Lineage series and his founding of...
Here’s how to watch RuneScape’s Runefest this morning from the comfort of your couch
We're lucky to be getting a RuneFest this year: Readers will recall that we haven't seen Jagex hold its annual RuneScape event since 2019,...
Black Desert begins celebrating nine years on PC, opens new tales and boss fight on mobile
We are not ones to argue over when the PC version of Black Desert gets to celebrate a milestone, especially if it means we...
EVE Online elaborates on planned tweaks to mining as Fanfest tickets have officially sold out
To hear it from CCP Games itself - and likely from its playerbase - mining in EVE Online isn't in a really good place...
