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
The Game Archaeologist: Dark Sun Online
Computer RPG players in the late '80s and early '90s were surely familiar with Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) and its now-famous Gold Box series....
DarkScape raises the stakes for subscribers
DarkScape, the RuneScape spin-off with open-world PvP and a deeper economy, patched up yesterday to fix various issues but also to add a little incentive...
EVE Online player builds a custom control board for the game
No one would argue that keybindings aren't important, but somehow just hitting X to fire all weapons doesn't feel as satisfying as, say, a...
Elite: Dangerous asks players to stop exploring (for the moment)
One of the keenest parts of Elite: Dangerous is the fact that it's a game with a huge galaxy just begging to be explored....
Massively Overthinking: PvP MMOs without the PvE
Back in April, we ran an Overthinking about a perceived lack of high-quality PvE-oriented MMO titles on the horizon, and that's a conversation that keeps...
The EVE Vegas schedule is now available
Only a little time remains before EVE Online players congregate in Las Vegas for the EVE Vegas event. If you don't already have your...
Shards Online’s latest newsletter on playtesting and ‘managing’ PK behavior
Shards Online has posted its latest newsletter on the heels of last weekend's pre-alpha 3 preview event, which included over 100 testers. Citadel's Derek...
Albion Online’s land ownership system will run by auction
Sandbox Interactive is shaking things up with its land ownership system in Albion Online.
In a new development diary, the studio explains that it is...
World of Warcraft and RuneScape make Twitch’s top games list for September
Don't put much stock in what people are playing on Raptr? What about what people are watching on Twitch?
The streaming giant recently released its September...
Ultima Online launches Time of Legends expansion
The first new expansion for Ultima Online in several years is finally here.
Time of Legends has gone live on the production servers, bringing with it...
Chronicles of Elyria dev blog: Permadeath in MMORPGs
Announced earlier this year, Chronicles of Elyria is a startup sandbox in a sea of such sandboxes, but some of its features are rare even...
The Daily Grind: So what mystery title is Daybreak working on?
Tucked into Daybreak's announcement letter yesterday about the company's new digs and Jens Andersen's new role was the revelation that Daybreak is "currently working...
Global Chat: Why is Blizzard so sluggish?
World of Warcraft: Legion and Blizzard's recent decisions were at the forefront of a couple of recent MMO blog posts as of late, their authors...
Gloria Victis patches in headshots
Just a week after adding combat and fortress improvements into its pre-alpha, Gloria Victis is back with another patch that should make fighting even...
TERA replaces new player zone, offers returning vets a helping hand
How do you feel when your MMO completely redoes its newbie experience? That's a question that TERA players are going to have to ask themselves when...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 32: WildStumble
Justin and Bree discuss SWTOR, Project Gorgon, Ultima Online, WildStar, Dragon's Prophet, EQ franchise expansions, and Camelot Unchained, with mailbag questions on armchair game dev and catering to whales.
Novus Inceptio sorts out the first days of alpha testing
The sci-fi survival sandbox Novus Inceptio has launched its early access program, and the team is sorting out feedback and metrics from the alpha...
Daybreak appoints Jens Andersen Executive Creative Director, hints at new title
Good news for fans of Jens Andersen's leadership of DC Universe Online over the last several years: He's gotten a nice promotion. Daybreak announced...
Crowfall details Zaleena, Daughter of Snakes
Serpent deities are always bad news when they show up. Actual snakes aren't malicious at all, but snake deities? They're mean. Crowfall's Zaleena, Daughter...
Future Landmark improvements include build mode, mega palette, and stopping time
Have you been wondering what is going on in Landmark development lately? Devs took to the forums yesterday to announce some new building-related features...
