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
Massively Overthinking: How will Star Citizen make money after launch?
During this week's Massively OP Podcast, Justin and I attempted to tackle a question sent in by commenter and listener Sally Bowls - specifically,...
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPGs will make to to 20 years?
Unless it mysteriously shutters between now and Monday, Ultima Online is turning 20 next week. Our Game Archaeologist will surely object to an assertion...
Discover actual exoplanets and earn EVE Online rewards – without ever leaving the ship dock
Have you heard in passing this "Project Discovery" thing in EVE Online and wondered what it is all about? CCP put together a new...
PSA: ArcheAge triples all the things this weekend
As the ArcheAge population resettles following the massive server merges earlier this month, Trion Worlds has prepared a balm to help sooth any jangled...
Albion Online’s Joseph patch arrives next week; check out the new trailer
Joseph is coming to Albion Online, and he's not interested in drinking tea or exchanging pleasantries or wearing anything akin to an amazing technicolor...
Black Desert is getting a remastered orchestral soundtrack with European orchestras
The upcoming soundtrack remaster for Black Desert is nothing but an upside for fans of the game. If you already like the music in...
Pantropy brings base building and mechs to an alien world, plans November Kickstarter
At this point in the survival sandbox craze, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. We can't...
Perfect Ten: 10 MMORPGs with playable fairies
Probably my greatest and most constant gripe about fantasy MMORPGs is that for all of the freedom and imagination that this genre supposedly boasts,...
RuneScape players accuse new lockbox promo of promoting gambling to children
RuneScape announced yesterday a new promo that works in conjunction with its existing Treasure Hunter system. It's a bit of a lockbox system, with...
Jukebox Heroes: Music from Destiny 2, LOTRO, Absolver, Black Desert, and Champions Online
Apologies for being extensively absent from this column over the last few months! Every day the Massively OP offices are deluged with fan mail...
Ultima Online preps for 20th anniversary bash, updates players on enhanced client fixes
Ultima Online isn't considered the progenitor of the MMORPG genre for nothing: It's closing in on 20 years of operation next week, to be...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 136: Westward ho!
Justin and Bree discuss Wild West Online, Star Citizen, EVE Online, Black Desert, Phantasy Star Online 2, FFXIV, DDO, Neverwinter, Ultima Online, and of course Guild Wars 2, with mailbag entries on Star Citizen's monetization and solid free-to-play side MMOs.
The Daily Grind: What one lesson do you wish MMO developers would learn?
MMORPG veteran Raph Koster went on a glorious Twitter tear last week, and I'm sure some of you can relate. In response to a...
EVE Online thieves produce propaganda music video, auction off ill-gotten gains
If betrayals, heists, coups d'état, and threats aren't enough to pique your interest in EVE Online's metagame, maybe memes will do the trick.
As PCGN...
Life is Feudal introduces horse-drawn carts in new video
You know the old saying, don't put your cart before the horse? Fortunately, Life is Feudal has taken that to heart with its current...
EVE Evolved: How much toxic, antisocial behaviour should MMOs tolerate?
The EVE Online community is aflame this week after alliance leader gigX was permanently banned for making threats of real-life violence against another player...
The first chunk of Black Desert’s free Kamasylvia expansion launches next week
Remember last week when Kakao hinted that Black Desert's new servers were indication that Kamasylvia was on the way "real soon"? That soon is...
The Daily Grind: Do you feel crowdfunded MMOs ‘owe’ you something?
My husband and I were chatting about the whole Chris-Roberts-is-fed-up-with-trolls-and-date-estimates-that-everyone-knows-aren't-going-to-stick thing from last week when he said something that struck me. "It reminds me...
The Stream Team: A first alpha look at Wild West Online
There are so few western MMOs, but Wild West Online is fixin' to change that. And by golly, thanks to Alpha Test 1, Massively...
Whatever happened to Black Gold, Order and Chaos Online, and Eden Eternal?
Ever pause during your day and find yourself wondering, "Whatever happened to that game?" With hundreds upon hundreds of online titles these days, it’s surprisingly easy...
