Sandbox MMO

Sandbox is a simple yet complicated concept in MMORPG World. There are few MMOs that are considered to be pure sandbox and lots of MMORPGs seem to have some sandbox elements. So what is sandbox based on consensus of MMO players?

Sandbox in general is freedom. Freedom to have a real role in shaping the world of the game and life style and characteristics of your character at will. As much as MMORPG has pre-defined non-changeable rules or invisible boundaries it goes far from being sandbox and as much as MMO is player-driven and players can actually change the world and its dynamics it is closer to being a sandbox. There is a tricky line though. A sandbox MMORPG has rules too but the rules are defined by players not by game developers. That is the major difference.

Hence the rules are defined by players there may be more consequences for players' actions. Who knows?

Some good examples of Sandbox MMOs are EVE Online and Wurm Online.

EVE Online explains the concept of sandbox with a very interesting game trailer:

http://play.eveonline.com/en/home.aspx

Wurm Online defines itself as "limitless opportunity and freedom, where the actions of each player can make a lasting difference."

UO (Ultima Online) is more often considered to be a sandbox MMORPG or at least having a lot of features of a sandbox MMO. In UO a player can choose freely to have any of many skill sets of the game and develop a unique character that has unique capabilities. Players can choose to change their characteristics any time during the game. In that aspect the game gives the players close to ultimate freedom to choose who they want to be.

The opposite of sandbox more often is called themepark. Themepark MMO is referred to a type of MMOs that guide player through some specific paths through having visible or invisible walls.

WoW (World of Warcraft) is considered to be more of a themepark MMORPG because as a player you are limited to the class that you have chosen and you can not change it freely. Players can not travel to anywhere you want in the world and explore the world freely. There are no visible walls in the game but if they travel to the areas that they are not supposed to, they most probably will be killed by high level monsters. Players should follow the story through quests to advance and the game doesn't give the players the freedom to choose their own path.

It's not all bad though. Many players prefer a themepark MMORPG over a sandbox one. That's why so many MMORPGs exist. Isn't it?

List of Best MMORPG Games

Lets say there were no limits for development or money making out of a sandbox MMO so an ideal sandbox MMORPG would probably feature the following:

- You will be able to change the world or spaces around you and all other players will be able to see the changes. For example you can build houses and decorate it any way you want. You can modify the terrain; dig, raise, flatten and sculpt the land around you.

- You can change the look and appearance of your avatar any way you want and any time you want during the game play. You can change it without a limit.

- You can define the characteristics of your character and change it during the game. You are not limited to some classes, ...

- You can travel anywhere in the world and explore any area. Some developer designed walls do not limit you to some pre-defined spaces.

- You can choose to be friend or enemies of anyone. You can choose any kind of behavior. Well this selections obviously have consequences since you may make more permanent friends or enemies by some of your decisions. You may be haunted by some factions, guilds,... because you chose to be enemy of one of their members. You can swear you didn't know but it doesn't mean they will accept it.

- You have a saying on the economy. The economy as a whole is player driven and supply and demand of any item by all of the players price the items and not the fixed prices set by developers.

- You can craft many things out of many things. You can craft unique items and sell them for your price to other thirsty players.

- There are no developer based quests and stories in the game. The stories are shaped by the players and you don't have to follow some specific stories to gain experience.

- You can interact with the environment the way you want. You can train, tame or mount many different creatures and can cook or make and eat many things out of many things.

- You can battle any way you want. You can learn or form many fighting skills. You can name your invented skills and teach them to others. They can be magic, range, melee,... or a combination.

- You can make a living of any job. You can be a thief, a burglar, a beggar, a scammer, investment banker, an entertainer, a dancer or whatever job that there is a demand for it and well other players pay for it ... or just an adventurer and make your fortune by hunting. You can become a bounty hunter and hunt other players.

And that's the ideal sandbox definition.