So now and then someone is asking about sandbox games and I thought we could use a thread with a list of all currently active sandbox MMORPGs on the forums. Saves me from typing the same information every other week to another poster.

Thus I made the following list and will bookmark this thread as a sort of reference about live sandbox games. I'll promise to keep the list current, please post here or send a PM if I should have missed anything.

List of Active Sandbox MMORPGs (in alphabetical order)

You're missing Vanguard.  Unless, I'm blind, which is possible.

Of course, that would make my ability to type this message flawlessly quite remarkable.

Originally posted by Larsa

• A non-instanced game world (zones can be fine)

Originally posted by Pale_Fire

You're missing Vanguard.  Unless, I'm blind, which is possible.

Of course, that would make my ability to type this message flawlessly quite remarkable.

vanguard is themepark. not sandbox

Fallen Earth, granted it has been a year since I played but...

"What are Sandbox Features?

A game that has many of these features can be considered a sandbox and a game that has few of these features is not.

• An open world yes
• A non-instanced game world (zones can be fine) yes, largely, and instances are seamless (you only get a pop up)
• Character progression or development outside of combat yes, you get XP for crafting
• Gameplay features other than combat activities crafting is a big part of the game
• Player-driven in-game economy, for materials, inguilds, but def a weak point
• Character development that can be customised via skills and/or customisations of class roles, open skill system

• Non-linear character development, not sure I've ever seen this
• In-depth crafting system, yes
• In-depth resource system, yes
• Persistent game world, yes
• Player's ability to change aspects of the game world, territory control yes. 
• Some form of customizable player housing/building, tents count?

Originally posted by Pale_Fire
Also, Asheron's Call and Everquest.  I know AC was/is sandbox.

EQ is the first major theme park mmo

Entropia.

But I would not recommend anyone to play it, it has lost its shine.

Originally posted by MMOExposed

Originally posted by Pale_Fire
Also, Asheron's Call and Everquest.  I know AC was/is sandbox.

EQ is the first major theme park mmo

I would disagree with this and with your thought on Vanguard, but, things like this ultimately come down to opinion.

Doh, thanks for the replies.

First, not every game that isn't a sandbox is a themepark. That's especially true for older games - because the distinction between themepark and sandbox didn't even exist at that time. I don't think it's necessary to sort all games into either the themepark or sandbox category, they are hybrids and even amongst the themeparks some games can have sandboxy features (for example music or fishing in LotRO).

Anyway, I'll have a new look at the games you guys mentioned and will look how far they "tick the boxes" in the sandbox feature list. And the ones that tick the boxes will get onto the list.

Thanks for the input.

Wouldnt Ragnarok Online fit this as well?

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/96/Ragnarok-Online.html

• A non-instanced game world (zones can be fine) lots of zones but not instanced
• Character progression or development outside of combat Crafting systems and the like
• Gameplay features other than combat activities Again lots of crafting, your own shops, and guilds
• Player-driven in-game economy Oh definately considering no auction house only player shops
• Character development that can be customised via skills and/or customisations of class roles Yes
• Non-linear character development Interesting class systems
• In-depth crafting system Fairly
• In-depth resource system Not as much
• Persistent game world Yes
• Player's ability to change aspects of the game world Guilds can control Castles
• Some form of customizable player housing/building Above

Originally posted by Pale_Fire

Originally posted by MMOExposed

Originally posted by Pale_Fire
Also, Asheron's Call and Everquest.  I know AC was/is sandbox.

EQ is the first major theme park mmo

I would disagree with this and with your thought on Vanguard, but, things like this ultimately come down to opinion.

I agree that vanguard is a Themepark, and also that EQ is the very first themepark and it actually set the Template for all the rest of themeparks to follow Including WoW and anything more recent, such as AOC, RIFT, TOR etc...

What is missing from the OP in my opinion is that a Sandbox Game should have OPEN ENDED gameplay...no Guided by the Design Gameplay or "on Rails" as some call it...

The players Set their own Goals in the World, and engage in various activities there after to attain them, including Social interaction (which does not limit itself to Cyber)...

This is the biggest eleemnt that distinguishes the two Types, in my opinion.

If the game tells you you start the game in Area 1 then from this level to that levels is area 2 then area 3 then area 4..it is a themepark...no matter if it may have Housing a player Economy or Full Loot or Open FFA PvP...it is still a themepark if your experience is Guided.

Again thanks for the replies and the input. I'll update the list tomorrow.

And indeed, the open ended gameplay as suggested by Suraknar is definitely a criterium that's missing on the list.