The Sandbox has been making waves in the gaming world by offering a unique virtual environment where players can build, own, and monetize their creations using the Ethereum blockchain. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about this popular blockchain-based virtual world where players can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences. You will learn about VoxEdit, Marketplace, Game Maker, SAND tokens, LAND ownership, and more.

The Sandbox Logo

What is The Sandbox?

The Sandbox gained popularity through its two successful mobile games, The Sandbox (2011) and The Sandbox Evolution (2016), amassing a total of 40 million downloads on iOS and Android. In 2018, developer/Publisher Pixowl made the strategic decision to transition this thriving User Generated Content (UGC) gaming IP and its extensive creator community from mobile to the blockchain ecosystem. The objective was to innovate the gaming industry by empowering creators with genuine ownership of their creations as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and incentivizing their engagement in the ecosystem.

The Sandbox Voxel IPs

A User-Generated Content Ecosystem

The Sandbox blockchain gaming platform encompasses three integrated products that collectively offer a comprehensive user-generated content (UGC) production experience. These combined products provide users with the ability to secure copyright ownership for their user-created content through blockchain and smart contracts, enhancing transparency and protection for creators.

VoxEdit, Marketplace, and Game Maker

• VoxEdit: This free, user-friendly 3D voxel modeling and NFT creation tool allows users to design and animate a variety of objects, from characters to tools. These voxel-based creations can be exported into The Sandbox marketplace as NFT game assets.

• Marketplace: The Sandbox’s NFT marketplace enables users to upload, publish, and sell their creations. By leveraging decentralized storage via the IPFS network and blockchain registration, creators can prove ownership and trade their assets securely.

• Game Maker: A powerful yet accessible tool that lets users build 3D games without any coding skills. Utilizing visual scripting tools, creators can design intricate games and experiences, contributing to the expansive Sandbox metaverse.

VoxEdit, Marketplace, and Game Maker

A Blockchain-Based Game Platform

The Sandbox uses several token types to ensure a circular economy between all the types of users who will interact with the platform: players, creators, curators, and land owners. 

Here is an in-depth breakdown:

• SAND: An ERC-20 token that underpins all transactions within The Sandbox ecosystem. Players use SAND to buy equipment, customize avatars, acquire assets, and purchase LAND.

• LAND: A digital real estate token (ERC-721) representing a piece of The Sandbox metaverse. Players can buy LAND to develop and monetize their gaming experiences.

• ASSETS: Tokens created from user-generated content (ERC-1155), tradeable on the marketplace and usable within the Game Maker.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) serve as virtual tokens designed for digital scarcity, security, and authenticity. They possess unique characteristics, being distinct, indivisible, and non-interchangeable, ensuring the uniqueness and authenticity of digital assets.

SAND, LAND, ASSET and GAMES

Understanding LAND

A LAND represents a digital parcel of real estate within The Sandbox metaverse, purchasable by players to construct interactive experiences. Upon ownership of a LAND, players gain the ability to populate it with games and assets of their choosing. Each LAND is a unique (non-fungible) token recorded on the public Ethereum blockchain (ERC-721), ensuring its distinctiveness and ownership authenticity.

Here is an in-depth breakdown:

• LAND: The basic Sandbox unit on the map. Each LAND comprises 96 x 96 meters in the game world. Just big enough to enable all types of blockchain game experiences, but not too large to be unmanageable by a single person.
• ESTATE: An ESTATE is the combination of multiple LANDS. Here is where the potential for teams of creators lies to create larger and more immersive online experiences.

LAND serves as the central hub of The Sandbox metaverse, facilitating various activities such as playing and creating games, earning tokens, hosting contests, and more. Its pivotal role enables users to engage in a multitude of experiences within the virtual world, contributing to the dynamic and vibrant community of The Sandbox.

What is LAND in The Sandbox?

The Role of SAND

SAND holds significant importance within The Sandbox platform and was introduced on the Binance trading platform in August 2020. Efforts are underway to establish fundamental mechanics that integrate SAND closely with The Sandbox platform and enhance its intrinsic value. As an ERC-20 utility token built on the Ethereum blockchain, SAND is poised to become the primary medium for transactions within The Sandbox ecosystem.

Here is an in-depth breakdown:

• Access: Players spend SAND to play games, purchase assets, and customize avatars. Creators use it to buy assets and LAND, and to stake for rewards.
• Governance: SAND holders participate in platform governance via a DAO structure, influencing key decisions.
• Staking: Staking SAND generates passive income and is necessary to obtain Gems and Catalysts for asset creation.
• Foundation: The Foundation supports ecosystem growth by funding high-quality content and games, fostering a virtuous cycle of content creation.

What is SAND in The Sandbox?

Monetization for Creators

Creators have multiple revenue streams in The Sandbox:

• Voxel ASSETS: Build and sell NFTs created with VoxEdit on the Marketplace.
• Games: Develop and monetize games and experiences using the Game Maker on owned LAND.
• LAND Ownership: Purchase LAND during sales, and increase its value through development or rental.

The Game Makers Fund

In October 2019, the $2 million Game Maker Fund was established to support talented creators in developing, sharing, and monetizing games on The Sandbox gaming platform. Supervised by the Foundation’s DAO, its purpose is to nurture the platform's ecosystem by managing grant offerings and encouraging the production of high-quality content and games. Currently, over 15 game projects, including licensed games from ATARI and Square Enix.

Here is an in-depth breakdown:

• Free prime exposure for your games in The Sandbox
• Maintain full ownership and copyright for your games
• Create your own games using thousands of available voxel assets and visual scripting
• Receive free LAND parcels within the biggest online voxel Metaverse
• Reach and influence an ever-growing community of creators and players
• Monetize your content with our cryptocurrency SAND
• Trade your games and assets on our marketplace
• Be part of the Game Maker community and help define the future of online gaming

Game Maker Fund

Gems and Catalysts

These tokens enhance asset rarity and value in The Sandbox:

• Catalysts: Define asset tier and scarcity, adding sockets for Gems.
• Gems: Enhance assets by filling Catalyst sockets, increasing their value.

Partnerships and Future Prospects

The Sandbox team has forged over 50 partnerships to develop content on the platform, collaborating with brands like Shaun the Sheep, dApp game studios such as Dapper Labs (CryptoKitties), investors like Square Enix (known for Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider), and iconic game companies like ATARI (famous for Rollercoaster Tycoon and Pong).

Over 50 Partnerships

The team continues to construct innovative tools and systems to revolutionize content creation through blockchain technology, paving the way for a decentralized age of content creation, utilization, and monetization. The Sandbox aims to establish itself as a pioneering project that redistributes power from game publishers to artists, crypto-enthusiasts, and gamers who play vital roles in the platform's success.

Become part of the community comprising over 750,000 gamers, creators, and supporters of The Sandbox metaverse. Stay updated with the latest project news and participate in exclusive contests and giveaways via their X account.