Sandbox (SAND)

Imagine a virtual universe where you can not only play games but also create them, own digital assets, and even profit from your creations.

This is the essence of the Sandbox, a platform built on the Ethereum blockchain.

Unlike traditional gaming platforms, the Sandbox leverages blockchain technology to give players true ownership of their in-game assets in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

This means you have complete control over your digital creations and can buy, sell, and trade them freely within the Sandbox marketplace.

Think of it as a virtual world similar to Minecraft or Roblox, but with the added power of blockchain technology and true digital ownership.

At the heart of this ecosystem lies the SAND token, the fuel that powers interactions and transactions within this metaverse.

What is the Sandbox?

The Sandbox is a virtual, open-world game where players can buy digital plots of land and create assets on top of them to share with other users.

It is a blockchain-based metaverse running on Ethereum, similar to Decentraland.

Since the Sandbox is built on the Ethereum blockchain, it is secured by the Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism.

Unlike the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism employed by Bitcoin, PoS does not require large amounts of electricity or computing power to validate transactions.

According to its official whitepaper, the Sandbox platform focuses on facilitating a creative “play-to-earn” model that enables users to be creators and gamers simultaneously.

Unlike existing games such as Minecraft and Roblox which also focus on user-generated content, the Sandbox gives complete control and ownership to creators or players in the form of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Through its governance token, the Sandbox also aims to revolutionize the virtual gaming market through its community of players involved in the platform’s development.

How does the Sandbox work?

The Sandbox is built on Ethereum, enabling the software to track ownership of digital LAND and ASSET NFTs on the platform.

Users transact on the ecosystem using Ethereum wallets holding their SAND tokens.

Developers can innovate within the Sandbox platform by designing the animation and interactions on their virtual real estate.

One way to do so is through the VoxEdit, wherein users can create voxels to bring creations like flora, fauna, and avatar equipment to life.

Another way is through the Game Maker, which lets users build 3D games on their LAND using ASSETS created or bought on the marketplace.

Users can then upload these creations into the Sandbox marketplace, where these are first registered as ASSETS or ERC-1155 tokens before being bought and sold using SAND tokens.

In summary, the Sandbox platform is built on three main pillars:

  1. VoxEdit: This 3D voxel modeling package allows anyone to create ASSETS, which are in-game items and characters represented as NFTs. You can think of it as a digital sculpting tool for creating anything from a simple tree to a complex character.
  2. Game Maker: This intuitive tool empowers users to create and share interactive 3D games without any coding experience. It provides a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built elements to make game creation accessible to everyone.
  3. Marketplace: This is where users can buy, sell, and trade their ASSETS using SAND. It’s like a virtual auction house where you can find unique and rare items to enhance your gaming experience or sell your own creations to other players.

Key Features of The Sandbox

  • User-Generated Content (UGC): The Sandbox thrives on the creativity of its users. Players are empowered to create and share their own games and experiences, fostering a vibrant and diverse metaverse.
  • Decentralization: Built on the Ethereum blockchain, The Sandbox ensures that players have true ownership of their in-game assets and creations.
  • Play-to-Earn: Players can earn SAND tokens by participating in games, creating content, and trading assets.
  • Partnerships: The Sandbox has collaborated with numerous brands and IPs, including Atari, Snoop Dogg, and The Walking Dead, to bring familiar faces and experiences into the metaverse.

What is the SAND token?

The SAND token is the native utility token of The Sandbox and serves multiple functions:

  • Medium of Exchange: SAND is used for transactions within The Sandbox, including purchasing in-game assets, LAND, and services. Players need SAND to play games, customize avatars, and trade on the marketplace.
  • Staking: Users can stake SAND tokens to earn rewards and access exclusive features. Staking also increases the chance of finding valuable in-game resources like GEMs and CATALYSTs, which are essential for creating higher-quality ASSETS.
  • Governance: SAND functions as a governance token, allowing holders to participate in the platform’s Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Through the DAO, users can propose and vote on changes to the platform, influencing its development and policies.
  • Foundation Support: A portion of SAND tokens is allocated to the Foundation, which supports the ecosystem by offering grants to incentivize high-quality content and game production.

The total supply of SAND is capped at 3 billion tokens, creating a finite supply that can contribute to its value over time.

Use Cases of SAND Token

SAND is the utility token that fuels the entire Sandbox ecosystem. Here are some of its key use cases:

  • Transactions: SAND is the primary currency for buying, selling, and trading in-game assets, including LAND, which represents digital real estate in The Sandbox metaverse.
  • Gameplay: You can use SAND to play games, purchase equipment, and customize your avatar.
  • Governance: SAND holders have a voice in the future of The Sandbox. They can participate in governance decisions through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), voting on proposals that shape the platform’s development.
  • Staking: By staking SAND, you can earn rewards and contribute to the security and stability of the network.
  • Creating and Trading NFTs: Artists and creators can use SAND to purchase ASSETS and LANDS, and to define the rarity and scarcity of their creations.
  • Buying LAND: LAND is a digital piece of real estate in The Sandbox metaverse. Players can purchase LAND using SAND to build experiences, host games, or even rent it out to other users.
  • Accessing Games and Experiences: Many games and experiences within The Sandbox require SAND to participate.
  • Customizing Avatars: Players can personalize their in-game avatars with unique items and accessories purchased using SAND.
  • Creating ASSETS: Artists and creators use SAND to acquire the necessary tools and resources to design and develop ASSETS.

Token Metrics:

  • Holder Addresses: Approximately 177,000 unique addresses.
  • Maximum Supply: 3 billion SAND tokens.
  • Circulating Supply: Approximately 2.45 billion SAND tokens.
  • Inflation Rate: The inflation rate is not explicitly specified; however, with the circulating supply at approximately 2.45 billion out of a 3 billion maximum supply, the remaining tokens are likely allocated for future releases or ecosystem incentives.

Here’s how the SAND tokens were initially distributed:

  • Company Reserve: 25.82%
  • Seed Sale: 17.18%
  • Founders and Team: 31%
  • Binance Launchpad Sale: 12%
  • Advisors: 10%

Team Background

The Sandbox was introduced in 2012 by Pixowl, which was founded by Arthur Madrid and Sebastien Borget.

CEO Arthur Madrid graduated with a degree in Economics from Université Paris Dauphine before he became a consultant for Eurogroup Consulting France. In 2001, he founded 1-Click Media, which was later acquired by Ipercast.

COO Sebastien Borget graduated with a degree in computer systems networking and telecommunications from Institut national des Télécommunications. He worked with Arthur as project lead for 1-Click Media before they founded Pixowl in 2011.

Notable Investors: Binance Labs, Coinbase Ventures, Winklevoss Capital Management, LLC, ParFi Capital, True Global Ventures.

New Developments

The Sandbox has continued to evolve and expand. Some notable developments include:

  • Launch of New Neighborhoods: The Sandbox introduced eight new cultural and geographical neighborhoods on its map, including Voxel Madness, MegaCity 3, Infinite Pulse, Kverse, and Lion City.
  • Open Invitation for IP LANDS: The platform extended an open invitation to creators to develop new experiences with different IPs and celebrities, further enriching the metaverse.
  • Contests and Rewards: The Sandbox organized over 30 contests to incentivize creators and reward the best experiences.