As part of the 0.11 update to The Sandbox’s Game Maker and Game Client, new Abilities have been introduced to expand the creative possibilities available to creators. These Abilities include Flight, Air Dance, and Double Jump. This guide is the second in a four-part series designed to help creators understand and implement each new feature. It focuses on the Flight ability, offering detailed information on how it works, how it can be applied in gameplay, and how to design levels that make the most of its potential.

How to Use Flight in The Sandbox Game Maker

About 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 is now described as a virtual metaverse where players can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences on the Ethereum blockchain using the platform's utility token SAND.

Introducing Flight in The Sandbox

The Flight ability allows players to momentarily fly by pressing the “F” key, giving them the power to ascend into the air for a short time. This mechanic enables players to reach elevated areas, explore previously inaccessible parts of a level, and interact with the environment in new ways. While the feature opens up more vertical gameplay, it also requires careful integration to ensure it fits within the overall structure and balance of the experience.

Practical Use Cases for Flight

Flight can be used in several practical scenarios that enhance both exploration and challenge. Players may encounter hazards such as fire, spikes, or electrified surfaces that are difficult or impossible to cross on foot. With the Flight ability, they can temporarily leave the ground and bypass these dangers by flying overhead. This adds a layer of strategy and safety to movement.

Flight can also be incorporated into puzzle design. By enabling players to reach floating switches or items positioned in hard-to-reach areas, creators can introduce verticality into puzzles, increasing their complexity and requiring new approaches to problem-solving. In addition, Flight encourages players to explore hidden or secret locations, such as the tops of towers or floating platforms that might contain rewards, lore, or collectibles.

It can also be used in areas where players must move through tight vertical spaces that traditional jumping mechanics would not allow them to navigate efficiently. Because the ability is limited in duration, creators must consider where players will be able to land safely and how the inclusion of Flight affects level balance. Without proper restrictions, players might unintentionally skip large sections of gameplay.

How to Use Flight in The Sandbox Game Maker

Level Design Considerations for Flight

When incorporating Flight into a game experience, several level design factors must be addressed to maintain balance and encourage engagement. Since Flight is temporary, levels should be designed so that players cannot bypass major gameplay elements or progress too quickly. The duration of Flight should be calibrated to allow meaningful movement without trivializing obstacles.

Levels should be structured with clear vertical progression, giving players intentional reasons to ascend. This might include objectives located on high platforms, access to hidden areas, or vertical challenges that require a combination of jumping and flying. Obstacles should be placed both on the ground and in mid-air to account for players who are airborne. This may include moving platforms, airborne hazards, or enemies that interact with players during flight.

Creators can use Flight as a mechanic for unlocking new sections of a game. For example, a player might need to revisit a previous level once they have acquired the ability to fly, using it to access previously unreachable content. This encourages exploration and extends gameplay. However, it is also important to use invisible boundaries or skyboxes to ensure players do not leave the intended playable area while flying. These boundaries should be integrated in a way that maintains immersion and guides players without making them feel restricted.

How to Use Flight in The Sandbox Game Maker

Hovering with the Flight Ability

Another aspect of the Flight ability is hovering. This feature allows players to remain suspended in the air briefly, which can be helpful when navigating unstable platforms or traps. If a platform begins to fall or disappear, hovering provides the player with an opportunity to stay in the air and avoid falling or taking damage.

Hovering enhances gameplay by allowing for more precise platforming. Players can make mid-air adjustments that improve accuracy when moving between narrow or difficult sections. In some cases, hovering can be used to activate switches or collect objects that require careful timing while in mid-air. It can also be used to interact with elements of the environment that move or respond to the player's presence, such as floating platforms or timed mechanisms.

Designers should consider how to introduce the hover mechanic in a way that supports learning and experimentation. Levels that include traps or hazards can be designed to react to the player’s hover state, adding new challenges and requiring thoughtful timing. These interactions should be integrated in a way that supports the overall pacing and difficulty of the experience.

How to Use Flight in The Sandbox Game Maker

Sprint Flying and Fast Movement

Flight also supports sprint flying, allowing players to move quickly through the air by using the sprint function while flying. This capability expands the use of Flight by enabling players to cover larger distances or move with greater speed through vertical and horizontal spaces. It also introduces new gameplay opportunities that emphasize timing and precision.

Sprint flying can be used in time-based challenges where players must reach objectives within a set period or complete aerial sections that require quick navigation. It also facilitates the exploration of expansive environments, such as large open fields, tall cityscapes, or wide indoor areas. In these spaces, the ability to fly quickly can improve the pacing of exploration and reduce unnecessary backtracking.

Designers should ensure that sprint flying does not make levels too easy to complete. High-speed movement should be paired with challenges that require careful direction changes and obstacle avoidance. Open spaces should be balanced with enclosed areas or obstacles that require players to adjust their speed and direction mid-flight. Including multiple paths in a level, some of which are only accessible through sprint flying, can add variety and reward players who develop mastery of the mechanic.

Enhancing Gameplay with Abilities

The addition of Flight, along with other Abilities like Double Jump and Air Dance, provides creators in The Sandbox with more tools to build engaging and interactive experiences. These features introduce new ways for players to explore, solve problems, and interact with their environment. When used thoughtfully, Abilities can significantly enhance the depth and variety of gameplay.

By considering level structure, gameplay balance, and player movement, creators can make the most of the Flight ability. Whether it is used to explore hidden spaces, avoid hazards, or complete timed challenges, Flight adds a new dimension to game design in The Sandbox.

How to Use Flight in The Sandbox Game Maker

Start Creating with Flight in The Sandbox

Creators are encouraged to explore the full potential of the Flight ability and experiment with how it can enhance their own game experiences. By integrating vertical movement, hovering mechanics, and sprint flying, creators can offer players new and engaging ways to interact with their environments. With thoughtful design and balanced implementation, Flight can become a powerful tool in building immersive web3 game experiences.