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
Greed Monger is dead in the water; sole programmer quits
The future looks quite grim for Greed Monger today, as its lead programmer, James Proctor, announced on the game's social media accounts that...
Ascent is MMO space simming done right
My favorite thing about Ascent: The Space Game is its planetary rotation. It's a small thing, granted, but the first time I sat still...
The Daily Grind: Does FFA PvP reflect badly on players?
Today's Daily Grind question comes from Luxxicon, a donor to our Kickstarter campaign. Luxxicon just wants to talk about open-world PvP. In fact, his...
ArcheAge producer examines the Archon class
Trion's latest ArcheAge PR push centers around "underplayed off-meta PvP builds that synergize exceptionally well with the introduction of Secrets of Ayanad." The first...
Codemasters CEO leaves company to join Jagex
There's a new boss in town at Jagex. Rod Cousens, previously the CEO of Codemasters, has moved shop to be the new CEO of...
Elite: Dangerous is now available on Steam
Have you yearned to play Elite: Dangerous but could not due to arcane rituals preventing you from playing any game that is not readily...
Star Citizen whale talks purchases vs. donations
If you've been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years and have no clue about the crowdfunded beast that is Star...
Leaderboard: Have you talked someone out of buying a game you like?
So here's something that doesn't happen very often: I talked a friend out of buying Star Citizen's Vanguard LTI concept. In the past I've...
Elite: Dangerous begins Mac beta test
Mac users, you are cleared for departure. Set a course for the beta star system and engage, although be warned: It may get a...
Ask Mo: Jobs in the MMO industry, jobs in MMOs
Today, we're reintroducing our general MMO advice column, here named Ask Mo: the column where you ask Mo questions, and he... lets me answer them for...
Elite releases 86-track OST while LOTRO buffs its music system
It's a two-for-one music Monday here at Massively Overpowered! For starters, Elite: Dangerous is now selling its physical soundtrack as a 3-CD set. The...
The Stream Team: Swimming with the dolphins in ArcheAge
You've read about the brouhaha over the pink porpoise in ArcheAge, but have you seen the mammal in action? MassivelyOP's MJ was the recipient...
Pathfinder Online launches head start access on April 1st
Early Enrollment players are now playing Pathfinder Online. Explorer Enrollment players, too. Starting on April 1st, Head Start players from the game's second Kickstarter...
Star Citizen opens up concept purchases for the Aegis Vanguard
Have you managed to make enemies in Star Citizen? Even though the full game is not actually available, do you have people who might...
Elite: Dangerous sends pilots on a scavenger hunt for a graphics card
When you have an entire galaxy at your fingertips, why not turn it into a massive scavenger hunt? Y'know, for kicks and corporate promotion!
Elite:...
Guild Chat: The top five ingredients in every great guild
Welcome to Guild Chat, my comfortable little corner of Massively Overpowered in which I dissect the inner workings and tricky politics associated with MMO...
Make My MMO: March 28, 2015
This week's crowdfunding news was all about Crowfall. Seriously, we must've written about Crowfall like 76 times or something. In the end, the most relevant...
Black Desert celebrates 100-day beta mark
To rub it in to everyone else in the world, it is our duty to announce that Korean beta testers have been enjoying Black...
The Stream Team: Give me exploration or give me death in The Repopulation
Last time Massively OP's MJ tried to explore in The Repopulation, she gave the cloning facility a good workout. Today she'll boldly go where...
The Game Archaeologist: Middle-earth Online
Out of all of the MMOs that I've played over the years, I must have spent the most time in Lord of the Rings...
