The Sandbox (SAND)
The Sandbox, launched in 2019, is a decentralized gaming platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. It offers users the ability to engage in a virtual world where they can build, own, and monetize gaming experiences, as well as trade digital assets. The platform integrates Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to foster a thriving gaming community.
Backstory
The Sandbox was initially developed by the game studio Pixowl and Animoca. It aimed to provide users with a platform to create pixel art. Released on May 15, 2012, it later became available for PC on June 29, 2015. The development team, including Pablo Iglesias (Onimatrix), worked to launch the game initially with only 800,000 plays. After refinement and presentation to Apple Inc., the game was successfully launched.
| Ticker | SAND |
| Category | Gaming (GameFi) |
| Website | https://www.sandbox.game/en/ |
| @TheSandboxGame | |
| Telegram | sandboxgame |
| Contract Addresses | |
|---|---|
| ethereum | 0x38...d0 Copied! |
| polygon-pos | 0xbb...83Copied! |
| harmony-shard-0 | 0x35...edCopied! |
| energi | 0x73...74Copied! |
Overview
The Sandbox offers three key products: Voxel Editor, Marketplace, and Game Maker. These components enhance user-generated content by securing copyright ownership through blockchain and smart contracts.
Voxel Editor
The Voxel Editor is a powerful tool that allows users to create and animate 3D voxel models. Users can craft various creations from humans to vehicles, exporting these to the Marketplace as game assets.
Marketplace
This web-based platform enables users to upload, publish, and sell creations. Creations are stored in a decentralized manner using the IPFS network and registered on the blockchain to establish ownership.
Game Maker
The Sandbox Game Maker allows users to create 3D games without coding experience, using scripting tools.
Tokens and assets
The Sandbox economy operates with several tokens. SAND, an ERC-20 token, underpins transactions within the ecosystem. LAND represents digital real estate in the game, and each piece is an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain. ASSETS created by players can be traded in the Marketplace.
Metaverse and NFTs
The Sandbox consists of 166,464 LAND parcels and ESTATEs, which are combinations of multiple LANDs. SAND, the platform's utility token, facilitates in-game transactions and governance. Players can participate in decision-making and earn rewards through staking.
Catalysts and Gems enhance the value and attributes of ASSETS. Catalysts determine ASSETS' scarcity and tier, while Gems provide attribute points, increasing their utility.
Sandbox Metaverse Alpha
In November 2021, The Sandbox launched its Metaverse Alpha after four years of development. This event allowed players to experience the metaverse through a play-to-earn (P2E) Alpha event. Selected users could earn SAND and exclusive NFTs by engaging with various experiences.
Funding
In November 2021, The Sandbox raised $93 million from investors led by SoftBank's Vision Fund 2, reflecting its rapid growth in users and transaction volume. The funding aims to enhance user-generated content, multiplayer functionalities, and infrastructure.
In June 2024, The Sandbox secured an additional $20 million, led by Kingsway Capital and Animoca Brands, to further develop its multiplayer gaming platform. Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, expressed excitement about the future of user-generated content games and the potential economic impact of the metaverse.