Everyone throws that term around "sandbox"

What does it actually mean tho?

Can you give me some popular MMOs that you consider a "sandbox" MMO?

Cause I'm confused on the subject.....

Sandbox can be described shortly only with two words: virtual world . Examples for such worlds are EVE and the mother of MMORPG - Ultima Online.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_game

Essentially open ended gameplay reminiscent of the childhood sandboxes where you would create your own fun out of imagination and shaping the mobile surface.

(Hate to drop a wiki here but it basically the answer in a nutshell)

It's completely missused on this site.

What people are really saying when they say sandbox is "a game like UO" or "a game like pre-cu swg".

Technically it just means you can explore anything at anytime.  Like Oblivion,  Fallout 3, GTA.  Even though there can be limits on that exploration , like in GTA

Or simply a nonlinear game.

It has nothing to do with pvp, classes, skills or anything like that.  But people on this site try to make it mean a lot more than it does.  Like no classes, skill base - ffa pvp, full looting.  All have nothing to do with sandbox.

People on this site also incorrectly refer to many games like WoW as themepark - an insulting term for linear gameplay.   Any MMO where you can grind for exp to level is not linear - this includes WoW.  You don't have to follow the quests in your starting area, or in any area - you can just grind. 

If in a MMO you can be an explorer, or a dancer, or a farmer, or a warrior, or a healer, or a pirate, or a musician, or a thief..., that game is a sandbox game.

Originally posted by robbykl1415

Everyone throws that term around "sandbox"

What does it actually mean tho?

Can you give me some popular MMOs that you consider a "sandbox" MMO?

Cause I'm confused on the subject.....

A sandbox game is a game where you can be free and happy. Anybody can do what they want to do without being picked on or made fun of. Sandbox games have been extremely influential in my life and has made me see the world in ways you can't even fathom to imagine. I wish there were more sandbox games out there. The world these days are dark and the nights depress me almost everyday.

I am tired of the same old song. I want something new!!! I want to play in the sand with my own toys and my own ideas and dreams. I don't want anybody holding my hand while I'm trying to play. I want to hold my own "hand" and create my own dreams and memories. LONG LIVE THE SANDBOX!!! LONG LIVE THE TOYS!!!!

Ichben Einberliner

Originally posted by robbykl1415

Everyone throws that term around "sandbox"

What does it actually mean tho?

Can you give me some popular MMOs that you consider a "sandbox" MMO?

Cause I'm confused on the subject.....

Think about sandbox as you would a child. What would you do in one? Do anything you wish. In MMORPGS this term is usually given to games that are not level based or not class based. In other words you can be who you want do what you want, wield what you want in a certain virtual world. (with limitations of course) IT has much more freedom. Oh and they are not linear.

An example? Well, to name a few... UO (back in the day), SWG (pre cu), ryzom (or so i hear), oh and EvE Online (Only beef i had was i couldnt walk around on ships or space stations, yet.). A couple of ones coming up the river are: Earthrise, Mortal online, and a few others.

There ya go :D

Originally posted by GreenChaos

It's completely missused on this site.

What people are really saying when they say sandbox is "a game like UO" or "a game like pre-cu swg".

Technically it just means you can explore anything at anytime.  Like Oblivion,  Fallout 3, GTA.  Even though there can be limits on that exploration , like in GTA

Or simply a nonlinear game.

It has nothing to do with pvp, classes, skills or anything like that.  But people on this side try to make it mean a lot more than it does.  Like no classes, skill base - ffa pvp, full looting.  All have nothing to do with sandbox.

People on this site also incorrectly refer to many games like WoW as themepark - an insulting term for linear gameplay.   Any MMO where you can grind for exp to level is not linear - this includes WoW.  You don't have to follow the quests in your starting area, or in any area - you can just grind. 

This is a great answer if you ask me...

"Sandbox" games are still around, but people blow it out of propotion what they believe "Sandbox" should actually mean.

Originally posted by CaesarsGhost

Originally posted by GreenChaos

It's completely missused on this site.

What people are really saying when they say sandbox is "a game like UO" or "a game like pre-cu swg".

Technically it just means you can explore anything at anytime.  Like Oblivion,  Fallout 3, GTA.  Even though there can be limits on that exploration , like in GTA

Or simply a nonlinear game.

It has nothing to do with pvp, classes, skills or anything like that.  But people on this side try to make it mean a lot more than it does.  Like no classes, skill base - ffa pvp, full looting.  All have nothing to do with sandbox.

People on this site also incorrectly refer to many games like WoW as themepark - an insulting term for linear gameplay.   Any MMO where you can grind for exp to level is not linear - this includes WoW.  You don't have to follow the quests in your starting area, or in any area - you can just grind. 

 

This is a great answer if you ask me...

"Sandbox" games are still around, but people blow it out of propotion what they believe "Sandbox" should actually mean.

I also agree, Green has a good answer.

Originally posted by altairzq

If in a MMO you can be an explorer, or a dancer, or a farmer, or a warrior, or a healer, or a pirate, or a musician, or a thief..., that game is a sandbox game.

In the nutshell this is the most accurate answer in this thread. Sandbox means that you are not pushed through a scripted path by developers and you can chose your own destiny and play style in the game.

Originally posted by D|CE

Originally posted by altairzq

If in a MMO you can be an explorer, or a dancer, or a farmer, or a warrior, or a healer, or a pirate, or a musician, or a thief..., that game is a sandbox game.

 

In the nutshell this is the most accurate answer in this thread. Sandbox means that you are not pushed through a scripted path by developers and you can chose your own destiny and play style in the game.

This is still too vague.  Is the game a sandbox if there are 2 scripted paths you can follow and switch between?  How about 3, 4, 5, ...

Also any game where multiple people interact with each other has to put limits on what people can do.  How big do those limits have to be before the game stops being a sandbox?

Im still kind of confused tho.....I mean the only game that sounds like it is a "sandbox" game is EvE.

I don't see if there is only one game that is a sandbox game than how the term gets used so much.

I don't like being confused......

Originally posted by robbykl1415

Im still kind of confused tho.....I mean the only game that sounds like it is a "sandbox" game is EvE.

I don't see if there is only one game that is a sandbox game than how the term gets used so much.

I don't like being confused......

Actually I can't think of any MMO that isn't a sandbox. That's why using it to describe MMOs is confusing.

For single players games it makes much more sense. Halflife 2 campaign = linear. Oblivion = sandbox.

i hope i don't offend any1 .... but from what i've read on this topic the only sandbox game is neither EVE nor other title mentioned here .... I would call an almost "sandbox" mmo - Second Life. Imo anyway.

Sandbox games usually attract folks that like to think for themselves...it's much easier to make a name for yourself in a sandbox game(Pre-CU SWG is the best example I can give from my experience) Folks generally tend to be more protective of their sandbox games(read pre-cu/veteran forums) . Sandbox games if they are good...tend to draw you in and really make you feel like a part of the game/realm/universe.

Games like WoW and War you are just a number that fills a void.....same candy, different wrappers. Dont get me wrong here...if you like those types of games, go for it.

I would encourage you to try a "sandbox" style game....I bet you wont go back to WoW n' clones once you find a good one.

I've tried at least 7 or 8 different MMO's since pre-cu swg and have yet to find anything that is remotely close or as fun as that game was. Was it perfect? No...but still tons of fun even with bugs.

I'm still waiting for a good one......

Its the best kind of game if they can ever make one with good graphics and movement / combat.

Sandbox is a game that has very little to no in game objects,,,, these objects like towns , houses , farms etc... Are all made by the player. Players craft everything in the game.  Everything in the game can be destroyed by the enemys.Everything can be taken from you to.

Roma Victor is a very good sandbox,,,,, But it lacks one or two main things that keep ppl there and that is the combat /  movement of the characters.

Sandbox is what i want , but with good realm vs realm and full loot, and permanet death, good combat where you aim your shots and there is no click and watch.  I like to see a game that takes years to master and not 1 month.

But if they make a game like roma victor with good graphic and actions. full loot, pera death. combat where you aim to hit... And thousands of skill but only able to master a few. That is what i like , sorry for all the talk i get into that!

Originally posted by GreenChaos

It's completely missused on this site.

What people are really saying when they say sandbox is "a game like UO" or "a game like pre-cu swg".

Technically it just means you can explore anything at anytime.  Like Oblivion,  Fallout 3, GTA.  Even though there can be limits on that exploration , like in GTA

Or simply a nonlinear game.

It has nothing to do with pvp, classes, skills or anything like that.  But people on this site try to make it mean a lot more than it does.  Like no classes, skill base - ffa pvp, full looting.  All have nothing to do with sandbox.

People on this site also incorrectly refer to many games like WoW as themepark - an insulting term for linear gameplay.   Any MMO where you can grind for exp to level is not linear - this includes WoW.  You don't have to follow the quests in your starting area, or in any area - you can just grind. 

 

 

I abosolutely agree, with one exception - about WoW. Its typical Theme park game and there is noting bad about that. Just depend if you like that or not. Theme park is equivalent of Disney Land in RL, and sandbox can be compared to wild  island. What you prefer? I personally love sandbox gameplay, but most not...

PS: Really WoW is not as much linear as many "tunnel" games, but still there is hige lack of freedom, especially in last two expansions.

Originally posted by iZakaroN

Originally posted by GreenChaos

It's completely missused on this site.

What people are really saying when they say sandbox is "a game like UO" or "a game like pre-cu swg".

Technically it just means you can explore anything at anytime.  Like Oblivion,  Fallout 3, GTA.  Even though there can be limits on that exploration , like in GTA

Or simply a nonlinear game.

It has nothing to do with pvp, classes, skills or anything like that.  But people on this site try to make it mean a lot more than it does.  Like no classes, skill base - ffa pvp, full looting.  All have nothing to do with sandbox.

People on this site also incorrectly refer to many games like WoW as themepark - an insulting term for linear gameplay.   Any MMO where you can grind for exp to level is not linear - this includes WoW.  You don't have to follow the quests in your starting area, or in any area - you can just grind. 

 

 

 

I abosolutely agree, with one exception - about WoW. Its typical Theme park game and there is noting bad about that. Just depend if you like that or not. Theme park is equivalent of Disney Land in RL, and sandbox can be compared to wild  island. What you prefer? I personally love sandbox gameplay, but most not...

PS: Really WoW is not as much linear as many "tunnel" games, but still there is hige lack of freedom, especially in last two expansions.

Regardless, the terms are misleading for MMOs.  No MMO is as linear as a linear single player game, they don't even come close.  Compare portal, halflife or quake single player - you have one thing to do at any time in one area period.  You finish the objective and you move on.  No MMO is that linear.  Which is what themepark incorrectly implies. 

Look I don't really care, I'm not playing any MMO at the moment, the only one in the future I see myself playing is Lego Universe – a true sandbox in every sense of the word.

My point is people in the MMO world should stop using those terms because they are misleading, and they aren't really descriptive. You call WAR a themepark? Yet I got to max level doing nothing but scenarios and pvp. How the hell is that a themepark? I didn't do one quest.  It's just not a descriptive term and you sell games short by using it.