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Author Topic: Missing Sandbox Games  (Read 5520 times)

Lord Dullard

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Missing Sandbox Games
« on: April 04, 2011, 04:58:44 pm »

This is meant to be a general discussion for inspiring ideas and/or just giving people mental cud to chew on.

What types of sandbox games do you think are missing from the current gaming scene? Sandbox can apply to just about anything, but in this context should generally apply to games that are extremely open-ended that allow players to create their own goals. Games that facilitate the sharing of player accomplishments/achievements can also be included.
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Fayrik

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2011, 05:58:35 pm »

That's a rather interesting thought. I think it's almost rhetorical. What sandbox games are missing? How can you know, if you've never heard of them?

I'd suggest something like a weapon building game, where you have to design weapons to try and.. I dunno, demolish a wall or something, so the most ingenious weapon scores the highest points.

Perhaps.. Knowing this community.. A sandbox game where you build sandbox games? ;D

At any rate, I'm currently enjoying Orbiter. The spaceship-flying simulator/sandbox... If anyone cares.
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Biag

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2011, 10:36:18 pm »

There's a surprising lack of supervillain sandbox games. In unrelated news, my secret project is coming along well! ;D

There are very, very few nonviolent sandbox games, it seems. Although I suppose that depends on your definition of "sandbox;" Rock Band could be said to have a sandbox environment, if you wanted to stretch it a bit. Anyway, I want a AAA game that I can win through hugs.
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Angel Of Death

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2011, 10:53:14 pm »

A serial killer game. What!? I need somewhere to vent my sadism!
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Angel Of Death

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2011, 10:58:27 pm »

Post-apocalyptic/massive war mech sandbox where I can roam the world, destroy buildings, hijack various other mechs, salvage parts, build and pimp out my own mechs, hire other pilots, fight groups of raiders, or maybe even do missions and more organized skirmishes.

Whew. That'd probably be my favorite game, hands down, if it was done right.

But it'll never happen.
I'd love that... Probably more than a serial killer game if it had body parts that you could remove.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2011, 11:13:16 pm by Angel Of Death »
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Fanofgaming

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2011, 11:17:51 pm »

Now this is just getting silly.
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diamok

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2011, 11:21:08 pm »

I've always wanted a sports sandbox.

Let's say....football, American for the hell of it.  You start out as a kid going into college, maybe the game starts with you playing in the high school national championship game or something similar...you play it, do well, or not, whatever.  Now you go home, you hang out at your parents house, at the mall, your girlfriends house and what not waiting for those calls.  You get calls, pick which schools you'll visit, then go visit them.  Walk the campus, coach takes you to a strip club, meet players, other coaches, hang out and so forth.  You pick your school, play games, go to class, goof off on down time which could be just hanging out at the gym, or your room, whatever, it's sandbox, do what you want until game time.

So then you play for 4 years in college, you play well, you get drafted, but you have to do the combine too, do well, move up in the draft, suck ass move down, skip it because your projected # 1 and hit the clubs all weekend, or shit, skip it because well, you just want to skip it.

You get drafted, move to your new town, find your fav hang out, hook up with your dealer, meet chicks, go to the park, practice, sit and watch a cribs episode about your crib.  It's sandbox, do whatever you want, well, until you have to play a game that is.

The possibilities for sandbox are really endless...whatever late night caffeine induced insomnia idea you can think of will work...try it, post the freaky ass concept you think of here, we'll all love it...or at least tell you why it sucks.  :p

Take care,
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Krelian

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2011, 11:57:28 pm »

Post-apocalyptic/massive war mech sandbox where I can roam the world, destroy buildings, hijack various other mechs, salvage parts, build and pimp out my own mechs, hire other pilots, fight groups of raiders, or maybe even do missions and more organized skirmishes.

Whew. That'd probably be my favorite game, hands down, if it was done right.

But it'll never happen.

this !
and with this art direction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udEAEARD-Fo
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Rex_Nex

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2011, 12:18:05 am »

World Creation sandbox. I want to be able to create worlds from nothing, giving them elements to be composed of, sizes, distance from sun, moons, atmosphere, speed of rotation, etc. I then want to be able to simulate that planet evolving from a primordial state to perhaps a life-sustaining state (If your previous choices allow that) and then watch said life evolve. Perhaps, then, you could control the life you have created on your own world, full on natural wonders.

If intelligent life were to evolve, you could govern or control them a la Age of Empires type city building, have warfare, and eventually go off into space and colonize other worlds. Simulated natural disasters ranging from a simple forest fire to your planet's surface being ripped off by a passing Black Hole. Perhaps your world was created near a near-death star, so your entire world is vaporized in a supernova. You could control your species by single organism or as a empire, and then make decisions on however big or small of a level you feel like.

Essentially, Spore done right.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 12:20:14 am by Rex_Nex »
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Rakonas

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2011, 12:21:20 am »

A serial killer game. What!? I need somewhere to vent my sadism!
I really still wonder how that game looked so complete and well thought out yet didn't exist.
To some extent I think that it secretly does exist and is in development.
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Itnetlolor

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2011, 12:43:12 am »

A serial killer game. What!? I need somewhere to vent my sadism!
I really still wonder how that game looked so complete and well thought out yet didn't exist.
To some extent I think that it secretly does exist and is in development.
Yeah, what's going on with the development of it? The real one that came after the hoax, that is.

Crimelike I think it was called.

Moogie

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2011, 05:24:59 am »

World Creation sandbox. I want to be able to create worlds from nothing, giving them elements to be composed of, sizes, distance from sun, moons, atmosphere, speed of rotation, etc. I then want to be able to simulate that planet evolving from a primordial state to perhaps a life-sustaining state (If your previous choices allow that) and then watch said life evolve. Perhaps, then, you could control the life you have created on your own world, full on natural wonders.

If intelligent life were to evolve, you could govern or control them a la Age of Empires type city building, have warfare, and eventually go off into space and colonize other worlds. Simulated natural disasters ranging from a simple forest fire to your planet's surface being ripped off by a passing Black Hole. Perhaps your world was created near a near-death star, so your entire world is vaporized in a supernova. You could control your species by single organism or as a empire, and then make decisions on however big or small of a level you feel like.

Essentially, Spore done right.


Someone I know is doing something exactly like this. If the project doesn't die, I'll be sure to post about it in the future. It's a solo endeavor though, so even if it doesn't die, it'll take a while to mature to something playable.
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mendonca

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2011, 06:20:46 am »

I've always wanted a sports sandbox.

Something that nearly fits that bill is New Star Soccer.

Essentially you play as one dude (not a team) who goes out, gets a contract, plays soccer, gets a new contract, improves his skills, plays the casino, buys sports cars etc. etc.

It's pretty fun, and all developed by one guy I believe.
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diamok

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 08:52:29 am »

Yeah, New Star is about as close as I've seen too.

Take care,
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Jack_Bread

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Re: Missing Sandbox Games
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 09:14:26 am »

I want a sandbox sandbox game. I don't mean powder games, I mean I want to make sand castles 'n stuff.
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