The Sandbox is paving the way for a new digital frontier where gaming and the Metaverse intersect. With significant investments from tech giants, particularly Mark Zuckerberg's multi-billion dollar commitment to building the Metaverse, this concept is not foreign to gamers or blockchain enthusiasts. From platforms like “Second Life” and “World of Warcraft,” the idea of a shared 3D space is well-established, and cryptocurrencies are increasingly relevant due to the ownership of virtual assets.

While Meta (formerly Facebook) is a notable player, it is far from alone. Other notable companies, including Roblox, Epic Games (the creators of “Fortnite”), and Microsoft with Minecraft, are also contributing to the growth of 3D environments. Additionally, blockchain initiatives like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Enjin are establishing decentralized ecosystems where users can buy and trade virtual property through tokens.

“The Metaverse Will Not Be Created by a Single Company”

The Sandbox is a decentralized virtual gaming platform, supported by Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally. In this expansive digital realm, players can discover numerous NFTs and generate revenue from their unique gaming experiences.

The Sandbox represents an Ethereum-based gaming ecosystem where users can create, share, and monetize digital assets and experiences. Players maintain full ownership of their creations, which were initially developed by Pixowl and Animoca Brands in 2012 as a mobile game. The game utilizes voxel graphics, reminiscent of titles like Minecraft. Following Animoca's acquisition in 2018, efforts were initiated to integrate cryptocurrency into the platform, culminating in a successful fundraising of over $2 million to develop a blockchain version in 2019. The Sandbox combines elements of a game, game engine, and content-sharing platform, potentially serving as a model for the future of decentralized gaming.

Play, Create, Own, and Govern a Virtual Metaverse Built by Players — THE SANDBOX

The Blockchain Version of The Sandbox

In the blockchain iteration of The Sandbox, players can purchase virtual land parcels using digital currencies. Each parcel corresponds to a LAND token, representing 96 square meters of virtual property, based on the Ethereum ERC-721 token standard. Players can construct items or even design smaller games on their parcels, making their creations unique NFTs.

The Gameplay

The Sandbox provides a virtual ecosystem where players can craft worlds, characters, and adventures, trading all assets within the community. Players can monetize their interactive experiences, charging admission for others to access their creations. The game incentivizes participation through a play-to-earn model, where players earn tokens and resources, alongside a grant system that supports developers.

Cryptocurrencies: LAND, SAND, and ASSET

The Sandbox operates with three primary tokens:

• LAND Token: An NFT representing virtual land ownership.
• SAND Tokens: Used for various transactions, including purchasing LAND and engaging with user-generated content.
• ASSET Tokens: NFTs representing in-game items and can be traded on the marketplace.

The Sandbox utilizes the Ethereum blockchain to manage ownership of LAND and ASSET tokens, with users engaging through Ethereum wallets.

Marketplace For User Generated Content

Beyond gameplay, The Sandbox features a marketplace for users to trade their creations for digital currencies, facilitated by the SAND cryptocurrency. These transactions are recorded as ERC1155 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing users to buy and resell ASSETS freely. A collaboration with Binance for an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) has further enhanced the visibility and value of the SAND token.

Framework For Developers

Developers can leverage various tools to create new projects within The Sandbox:

• Voxel Editor: Users can design 3D objects, which can be sold as NFTs on the marketplace.
• Game Maker: This tool allows users to create 3D games without programming skills, using ASSETS from the marketplace.

This extensive suite of tools empowers creators to integrate valuable assets into a dynamic online gaming environment.

This is How You Can Earn Money With The Sandbox

Players and developers have multiple avenues to generate revenue within The Sandbox. Developers can create and sell ASSETS as NFTs, while players can earn rewards through gameplay and by renting out LAND or enhancing its value with content. The Sandbox aims to redefine the dynamics between developers, players, and gaming platforms, promoting a market where players own the fruits of their creativity.

The Sandbox is free-to-play, providing tools like VoxEdit and GameMaker at no cost, enabling easy entry for aspiring creators.

Should You Still Invest in The Metaverse?

In summary, experts in finance and technology have mixed views on investing in the Metaverse:

• Charles Hoskinson: “Metaverse Will Overlay the Physical World”
• Bank of America & Grayscale: “Metaverse will create tremendous opportunities for blockchain technology”
• Cathie Wood: “Several trillion U.S. dollars for the Metaverse”
• Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger: Caution against potential overvaluations.

Learn more in-depth analysis here.

Where To Buy SAND?

For newcomers, I suggest Bitpanda as an ideal platform for buying cryptocurrencies. It offers a user-friendly interface and various features, including saving plans and low fees for stocks and precious metals.

For those seeking a more advanced option with lower fees, BitForex is a suitable alternative!

Future

93 Billion Funding

The Sandbox recently raised $93 million, led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, to expand its Metaverse economy beyond gaming. Notable investors include Animoca Brands and Samsung Next.

“We believe The Sandbox is constructing an open metaverse, unlocking new economic opportunities by empowering people to build and monetize their creations,” stated Aaron Wong from SoftBank.

While the current valuation post-funding is undisclosed, the digital token SAND's market capitalization has soared to $2.49 billion.

Outlook

The Sandbox collaborates with over 60 major brands in the gaming industry, highlighting a significant interest in the Metaverse. These include brands like Atari and CryptoKitties, which are creating voxelized versions of their characters and worlds within The Sandbox.

With over 100,000 registered users, the platform continues to grow rapidly.

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With warm regards, Maximilian

This article reflects the author's opinions and should not be taken as financial or legal advice. All data and figures are accurate as of 07/11/2021 and may be subject to change. *Affiliate links

Other METAVERSE Projects - Decentraland: Should You Still Invest in the Metaverse? - Illuvium: The Most Promising NFT Metaverse Game So Far - The Sandbox: Gaming Meets Metaverse ($SAND) - Enjin: This Is the Most Promising Gaming NFT - MaticVerse: Crypto Newcomers: MaticVerse Coin (MVERSE) & Signata Coin (SATA) - Axie Infinity: Gaming NFT Revolution Or Ponzi Scheme?

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