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
Test fly Star Citizen’s Aurora and Mustang for free this week
If you're like me, you bought into Star Citizen way back in 2012 and you haven't dropped a dime since. Don't get me wrong...
Mortal Online is getting a new continent this weekend
Mortal Online is getting a new continent this Sunday. It's called Sarducca, and it's home to a bunch of soldier fanatics who are loyal...
Here’s a look at the latest Black Desert open world boss battle
Want to see the newest Black Desert boss battle? Head to Steparu's site, as he's got video clips and screenshots of the new creature that...
Gloria Victis prepares to pull the trigger on Unity 5
Those anticipating Gloria Victis' glorious transformation into the new Unity 5 game engine won't have long to wait at all. Black Eye Games said...
Saga of Lucimia posts character creation video on Twitch
The Saga of Lucimia promises to be a sandbox MMO with absolutely no solo content. None whatsoever. And it's aiming to accomplish this with...
Quick tips for maximizing your GTA Online fun
I've been playing GTA Online for 50-something hours now, and while I'm by no means an expert, I'm a lot smarter about the game...
Das Tal demos skill-based combat and posts Kickstarter FAQ
What does skill-based combat mean to you? We can't tell you that, but we can tell you what it means to the makers of...
Massively Overthinking: What would persuade you to play a classic MMO?
For this edition of Massively Overthinking, Kickstarter donor Sargon wants us think back to 1997, when Ultima Online launched and parted MMOs from graphical MUDs forever....
Space Engineers opens its code base to modders
Hey space engineers, how would you like access to the source code of, um, Space Engineers? You can have it, since developer Keen Software...
Nexon revenues rise in early 2015
After reading through Nexon's financial report for Q1 2015, one can imagine the company skipping along while whistling a merry tune. Yes, it's generally...
EverQuesting: Life after Landmark’s big wipe
It was just over a week ago that Landmark's servers went offline in preparation for a major upheaval that affected nearly every system in...
The Repopulation adds diplomacy minigame with new patch
Wait, there are other ways to resolve conflict with in-game NPCs than to stab large holes in their torsos? The Repopulation seems to think...
The Daily Grind: Would you try a Darkfall reboot?
Yesterday's news regarding the possibility of a classic Darkfall server was pretty great. I loved Aventurine's 2010-era fantasy gankbox, and I'd resubscribe or even repurchase the client...
Raph Koster used MMO design to help revitalize a bar trivia game
You might know Raph Koster from his MMO legacy as a designer on Ultima Online or Star Wars Galaxies, or perhaps from his current...
The Stream Team: Caves of Landmark’s wonders
As pretty as the scenery can be topside, spelunking is where the action is since all the mobs were moved underground in Landmark. That's...
Aventurine is exploring a Darkfall 1.0 reboot
Remember a couple of weeks ago when Aventurine developer axilmar caused a bit of a stir with an informal poll regarding Darkfall's pre-Unholy Wars...
Massively Opinionated: EVE vs SWTOR vs The Plunderbund
In this episode, Larry, Cosmic Engine, Brendan, and Redna debate MMORPG community platforms, guilds, and building strong communities.
A Tale in the Desert preparing to restart with Tale 7
A Tale in the Desert's current "telling" -- Tale 6 -- has been running a long time, ever since its debut in 2011. Since...
Ask Mo: The trouble with roleplaying in MMORPGs
Long ago on Massively-that-was, a reader named Avaera sent in a long list of fabulous questions worth addressing. I'm tackling another in today's edition...
EVE Online’s Matt Woodward defects to Albion Online
EVE Online is less one developer today and Albion Online is richer by one, as Matt Woodward has jumped ship to work on the...
