The Sandbox is a virtual environment that is decentralized and driven by the community, where creators can develop, distribute, and sell in-world items. One of several blockchain-based virtual worlds seeking to transform the dynamics of the gaming market and reward producers for adding value to the world through user-generated content is what the Sandbox metaverse is all about.
Built on the Ethereum blockchain, the Sandbox is a gaming metaverse where users may create, distribute, and monetize in-world goods and gaming experiences. The Sandbox was created in collaboration with mobile gaming studio Pixowl, with the goal of upending the legacy gaming cartel, where the platforms own and manage user-generated content, and in which the rights of artists and gamers are severely restricted.
Users have complete control over their in-world creations while they play in The Sandbox.
The Sandbox: Elements of Play
- Build and animate 3D objects in the metaverse, including people, animals, and other objects. VoxEdit is a free program that allows users to create and animate 3D objects in the metaverse. Known as ASSETS, these items make use of the ERC-1155 token standard, which allows for the creation of fungible tokens (FTs) as well as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through the use of a single smart contract
- A venue through which users can post and sell their ASSETS after first uploading them to the InterPlanetary File System is known as the Sandbox Marketplace (IPFS)
- The Sandbox Game Maker is a free tool that allows users to create 3D games
No coding experience needed
Participants in The Sandbox do not need any coding experience to join; yet, the strong suite of tools available makes it feasible to build and incorporate valuable content into the rapidly expanding realm of online games and virtual worlds.
Sandbox Tokenomics: A quick guide
Because it serves as a platform for tokenized assets in gaming, the Sandbox ecosystem makes use of a variety of different tokens to accomplish its goal. SAND is an ERC-20 token that serves as the fuel for all of the transactions and interactions inside the Sandbox.
For example, SAND tokens are required to participate in games, purchase equipment, and create your avatar. A governance token will be created in the future, and holders of SAND will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on any changes to the ecosystem after the formation of The Sandbox DAO (decentralized autonomous organization).
ASSETS and LANDS are digital pieces of real estate that are represented by ERC-721 tokens, which are non-fungible tokens. SAND can also be used to purchase these digital pieces of real estate. Players can use their LANDS, which are a digital tract measuring 96×96 meters, to house games and ASSETS. Only 166,464 LAND parcels will ever be created throughout the entire world. The term “Estate” refers to a player’s creation of a single property by combining many LANDS. This is similar to how players can purchase property in Decentraland.
Check out our article on buying digital property in Decentraland.
SAND tokens can then be staked in order to obtain more SAND, along with Gems and Catalysts — two more types of tokens that are necessary for ASSET creation — and therefore more SAND. Catalysts are ERC-20 tokens that specify the “tier” and scarcity of your ASSETS. Catalysts are used to make your ASSETS more valuable.
The asset rarity levels range from “common” to “legendary,” with common ASSETS being the least scarce and legendary ASSETS being the most scarce. Gems are ERC-20 tokens that are destroyed when they are used. Gems can be obtained in a variety of ways, including through the staking of SAND and by purchases from other players.
The Sandbox pays for Ethereum gas expenses on the players’ behalf, allowing for a more smooth user experience for everyone. Additionally, The Sandbox Foundation receives a portion of the SAND token transaction volume, which is used to support the ecosystem by providing awards and promoting the platform.
How to make money playing in the Sandbox
There are various methods in which you might create income in The Sandbox. It is possible to sell NFTs created with VoxEdit after they have been uploaded to The Sandbox Marketplace for sale. For example, ASSETS such as avatars, motorcycles, and animals are available for purchase at a variety of price points ranging from less than 10 SAND to thousands of SAND.
Similarly, you can utilize The Sandbox Game Maker to develop and market your own games, or you can earn rewards by participating in the games of other users. Rental of your LAND to other players, as well as the addition of content to boost the value of your LAND, are all ways to make money from your LAND.
Final thoughts
In addition to the Sandbox, there are other crypto metaverses (Decentraland, Axie Infinity, Crypto Kitties, to name a few) that are seeking to alter the dynamics between creators, gamers, and gaming platforms. A new gaming industry is exemplified by The Sandbox and its ilk, in which players control the results of their creative work and are compensated for the significant value that they generate for the builders of these metaverse worlds.
Jay Speakman is a technology writer based in San Francisco, California. He writes on the topics of blockchain, cryptocurrency, DeFi and other disruptive technologies. Clients include Avalanche, Be[in]Crypto, Trust Machines and several blogs devoted to blockchain gaming. He will not rest until fiat currency is defeated.
