What is The Sandbox (SAND)?
- Author
- CRYPTO PORT Editorial
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 5 min
In short
The Sandbox is a platform where users build and publish games and experiences in a voxel-based 3D world. Plots of that world are sold as LAND NFTs, and creations and items are handled as NFTs too. SAND is the token used for purchases, listings and governance within it.
Key points
- A voxel world that users build in with the platform's own tools
- Plots of the world are owned and rented out as LAND NFTs
- Created items become ASSET NFTs that can be traded on a marketplace
- Operated by a company within the Animoca Brands group
Definition
A voxel-based virtual world platform where users create and publish games and items, together with its in-world currency.
What The Sandbox offers is a way to build games without programming expertise. Two free tools do the work: VoxEdit for modelling characters and items out of voxels, and Game Maker for placing them and scripting the flow. Finished work is published on the creator's own plot.
Plots of the world are LAND NFTs, and the number of them is fixed. Owners can publish games there or rent the plot to other creators. Several LANDs can be combined into an ESTATE for larger experiences.
SAND is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum used to buy LAND and ASSETs, to pay marketplace fees and to vote in governance. Part of the fee flow is directed to creator rewards and a foundation. Some trading takes place on lower-fee networks such as Polygon.
The operating company has partnered with a long list of anime, gaming, music and sports brands, each with its own area or experience. The value of a platform like this depends on how many people actually play, so figures such as concurrent users and active creators matter.
Watch out for
- · A virtual world's value depends on its user base, and publicity does not always match actual concurrent players
- · LAND supply is capped, but plots can go long stretches without a buyer; liquidity is not assured
- · Brand partnerships run on contracts, and an experience may end when the agreement does
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to buy LAND to play?
No. Published experiences can be played without owning LAND. LAND is for creators who want to publish on their own plot.