In Brief
- Retro Game Jam Launch: The Sandbox initiated a contest for creators to design games inspired by early-era gaming, accepting submissions until December 23.
- Extensive Prize Pool: A total of 150,000 $SAND, along with CATALYST packs and LAND NFTs, are up for grabs for top contestants, with additional opportunities to be featured in an Alpha Season.
- Season’s Greetings 2025 Event: The platform has also released an NFT Advent calendar that features daily mini-games and collectibles available through the end of December.
Celebrating Classic Gaming
The Sandbox has recently announced the commencement of its Retro Game Jam, inviting developers to explore the nostalgic appeal of vintage video games. Open for entries since November 27, this contest challenges participants to creatively fuse retro styles with modern game mechanics. The entry period will close on December 23, followed by a live event on January 17 on Twitch, where winners will be declared.
Prizes and Opportunities
To incentivize creativity and participation, The Sandbox has dedicated a significant prize pool. The top prize consists of 10,000 $SAND and a Gold CATALYST Pack. The second and third-placed entrants will receive 8,000 and 5,000 $SAND respectively, along with Silver Packs. Additional prizes will be awarded to those placing fourth to tenth, and up to ten honorable mentions will each receive 1,000 $SAND. Outstanding games may also be selected for the upcoming Alpha Season, gaining further exposure.
Supporting Creative Development
To aid participants, particularly newcomers, a workshop was held on December 5. Each submission will be evaluated based on creativity, gameplay quality, and how well it embodies the retro theme. The first 100 valid submissions will be rewarded with a CATALYST Pack to encourage early and robust participation. Supporting resources such as Game Maker templates and the newest asset libraries have been made available to assist developers in crafting engaging games.
Holiday Cheer with Season’s Greetings 2025
Alongside the Retro Game Jam, The Sandbox has launched Season’s Greetings 2025, an NFT Advent calendar that began on December 1. This event invites players to unlock a new game daily until the end of the month, with each game featuring a unique seasonal NFT created by distinguished artists. A special highlight is the Cozy Yéti Avatar, a collectible character released on December 24, which players can obtain by completing the ultimate quest of the series.
Reflecting on a Year of Change
2025 has been a transformative year for The Sandbox. Amidst a restructuring phase that saw the original co-founders stepping into non-executive roles and a reduction in global operations, the platform has continued to emphasize community engagement and content development. It successfully hosted two Alpha Seasons under the revamped operational framework.
A Creative Close to 2025
As the year concludes, The Sandbox underscores its commitment to leveraging user creativity, showcased through both the Retro Game Jam and the Season’s Greetings 2025. These initiatives demonstrate the platform’s ongoing dedication to delivering compelling and interactive experiences, fostering a dynamic and engaged community of developers and gamers.