List of Sandbox MMORPGs [Updated: December 18, 2012]

Larsa

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)

 

A Tale in the Desert

First release: February 15, 2003

Link to Website: http://www.atitd.com/

Payment Model: Subscription, free client, free trial available

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Historical (Ancient Egypt)

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Linux, Mac, Windows

 

AfterWorld
First release: April, 2008
Link to Website: http://www.afterworld.ru/
Payment Model: Free to play, free client
Cash Shop: Yes
Setting: Post-Apocalypse
Game environment: 3D
Client OS: Windows

 

Entropia Universe

First release: January 30, 2003

Link to Website: http://www.entropiauniverse.com/

Payment Model: Free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Various

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

EVE

First release: May 6, 2003

Link to Website: http://www.eveonline.com/

Payment Model: Subscription, commercial client, free trial available

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Mac, Windows

Face of Mankind

First release: August 31, 2006

Link to Website: http://www.faceofmankind.com/

Payment Model: Free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Fallen Earth

First release: September 22, 2009

Link to Website: http://www.gamersfirst.com/fallenearth/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Post-Apocalypse

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Mac (in beta), Windows

 

Haven & Hearth

First release: Never (the developers call it a continuous alpha)

Link to Website: http://www.havenandhearth.com

Payment Model: Free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Survival/Historical (medieval)

Game environment: Isometric view

Client OS: Java

 

Istaria

First release: December 5, 2003

Link to Website: http://www.istaria.com/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Mac (in beta), Windows

 

Mabinogi

First release: June 22, 2004

Link to Website: http://mabinogi.nexon.net/

Payment Model: Free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Mortal Online

First release: June 9, 2010

Link to Website: http://www.mortalonline.com/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Outer Empires

First release: ca. November 2009, Mai 1, 2012 (Relaunch)

Link to Website: http://outer-empires.com/Index.asp

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 2D

Client OS: Browser, Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

 

Perpetuum

First release: September 22, 2011

Link to Website: http://www.perpetuum-online.com/

Payment Model: Subscription, free client, free trial available

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Runescape

First release: January 4, 2001

Link to Website: http://www.runescape.com/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Java

 

Ryzom

First release: September 16, 2004

Link to Website: http://www.ryzom.com/en/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Fantasy/Sci-Fi blend

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Linux, Mac, Windows

 

Shores of Hazeron

First release: Never (game is open beta)

Link to Website: http://www.hazeron.com/

Payment Model: Free to play, free client (open beta)

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

StarQuest Online

First release: September 21, 2007

Link to Website: http://www.starquestonline.net/

Payment Model: Subscription, free client, free trial available

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Sci-Fi

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Ultima Online

First release: September 24, 1997

Link to Website: http://www.uoherald.com/

Payment Model: Subscription, commercial client, free trial available

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: Isometric view

Client OS: Windows

 

Uncharted Waters Online

First release: Spring 2005

Link to Website: http://uwo.netmarble.com/

Payment Model: Free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Historical (Age of Sails)

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

Wakfu

First release: February 29, 2012

Link to Website: http://www.wakfu.com/en/mmorpg

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Fantasy

Game environment: Isometric view

Client OS: Linux, Mac, Windows

 

Wurm Online

First release: June 6, 2006

Link to Website: http://www.wurmonline.com/

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: Yes

Setting: Survival/Fantasy (low fantasy setting)

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Java

 

Xsyon

First release: February/March 2011

Link to Website: http://www.xsyon.com

Payment Model: Subscription and free to play, free client

Cash Shop: No

Setting: Survival/Post-Apocalypse

Game environment: 3D

Client OS: Windows

 

 

What is a Sandbox Game?

There's no clear-cut definition what a sandbox game is and some people even tend to argue over the topic. I've used my definition and that is that there are sandbox features and the more of those features are implemented in a certain game the more it is a sandbox.

 

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, not a collection of small maps
• A non-instanced game world, no private instances for story mode or private dungeons (zones are okay if technically needed)
• Gameplay features other than combat activities, for example: fishing, harvesting, prospecting, crafting, diplomacy, music, trading
• Character progression or development outside of combat (see above examples)
• Open-ended gameplay, no "game starts at level 50" game design
• Player-driven in-game economy, not a loot-driven economy, no bind-on-equip or bind-on acquire items
• Character development that can be customised via skills and/or customisations of class roles, not a class system where every level 50 warrior has the exact same skills and attributes
• Non-linear character development where characters are not limited to developer-defined roles, for example: free skill trees or multi-classing of characters
• In-depth crafting system. A crafting system is considered in-depth if the majority of items in the game is player-made and when crafted items can be at least as good as dropped items
• In-depth resource system. A resource system is considered in-depth if items can be made from raw resources that influence the resulting item (either it's stats or it's appearance is okay)
• Persistent game world. A game where the world (or parts of the world) reset to a known state in regular intervals is not persistent
• Player's ability to change aspects of the game world, either by being able to modify the physical game world or by being able to take ownership of structures in the game world
• Some form of customizable player housing/building

 

What about Games that are Sandboxes but not MMORPGs?

They are not listed here. Use your favourite search engine. There are many games out there. Even many sandbox games. Listing all of them is far beyond the scope of this thread. Listing only a few of them would show bias. Therefore they're out.

What about Games in Development?

I list games that are playable by the general public. That means the games are either released or in some open testing stage. I do not list games in development that are in closed testing.

 

Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide a list of released and currently active sandbox MMORPGs. That a game is on this list doesn't necessarily mean that I think it's a good game. You have to decide for yourself whether you think a game is good or not. This game list is in no way an official MMORPG.com list.

 

As always, discussions and corrections welcome.

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.

Pale_Fire

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

MMOExposed

Originally posted by Larsa

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

I believe you meant "Seamless"

MMOExposed

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

astoria

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?

 

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

Spiider

Entropia.

 

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

astoria

Perpetuum I think, but I don't know the details, I remember reading they were adding terraformign and player built cities, definitely has most of the sandbox features, but I only beta'd it. 

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.

Pale_Fire

Anarchy Online, probably.  I've never thought of it as themepark.

Larsa

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.

Quizzical

Uncharted Waters Online fits everything on your list, and Puzzle Pirates fits most of it.

BigHatLogan

EVE has a free client.

Enochi

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

Admitedly most of my info is close to 5-6 years out of date lol

Suraknar

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.

Larsa

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.

 

Misterpuppy

Is that new Risen 3 game that just came out sandbox? The reviews are mixed.

mastersomrat

WURM Online

dstar.

Perpetuum is pretty sandbox I think.  Would any of you consider Planetside sandbox? 

Theocritus

Originally posted by Pale_Fire

Anarchy Online, probably.  I've never thought of it as themepark.

      The only knock on it is that it does have classes (professions), but you can spend the points in any way you want.

Muerte_X

Actually MMOexposed, Seemless is not the same as instanced. Instanced means players can be in the same zone yet cannot see each other or interact because they are in different instances of the zone. Seemless means a lack of loading screens between zones.

DannyGlover

Mabinogi feels pretty sandboxy

Suraknar

Originally posted by dstar.

Perpetuum is pretty sandbox I think.  Would any of you consider Planetside sandbox? 

I would consider Planetside, RvR and/or Massivelly Online Persistent Battlefield...much like World War II Online. Not a themepark nor a Sandox...the third type in all of this is RvR.

Quizzical

Originally posted by Larsa

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

 

Indeed, that's probably the single most important criterion of a sandbox.  If a game pushes you to go to one particular zone from levels 1-10, then another zone for 10-15, then another zone for 15-20, and so forth, with everyone following the same sequence of zones as they level up, that's not a sandbox game at all--even if it fits everything on your original list.  That could almost be taken as the very definition of a theme park.

Suraknar

Originally posted by Quizzical

Originally posted by Larsa

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

 

Indeed, that's probably the single most important criterion of a sandbox.  If a game pushes you to go to one particular zone from levels 1-10, then another zone for 10-15, then another zone for 15-20, and so forth, with everyone following the same sequence of zones as they level up, that's not a sandbox game at all--even if it fits everything on your original list.  That could almost be taken as the very definition of a theme park.

And if there is a definition of a Themepark, then maybe we just came a step closer to defining a Sandbox too.