The Sandbox

Simulation· Indie· Sandbox· Pixel Graphics

Released Jun 2015

READY FOR CRAFTING VIRTUAL WORLDS ON YOUR PC?The acclaimed world-building game featuring a unique mission-based approach is coming onto PC via Steam Early Access. With over 16 million players on mobile & tablets versions and 1,500,000 pixel blocks creations shared in the Online Gallery to date, this PC version is taking world...

54% positive · 573 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 30 Sep 2026 $4.99

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Evaluation

The Sandbox launched on Steam Early Access on April 22, 2014 and received a series of feature updates and content additions throughout 2014 and into early 2015 — including new campaigns, elements, and gameplay features. The game's official release date is listed as June 29, 2015, marking its graduation from Early Access to a full release. After the game's 1.0 launch, developer activity went quiet relatively quickly. The only post-launch major communication was in October–November 2016, when the developer announced and released a full sequel — The Sandbox Evolution (a separate Steam title, App ID 466940) — and offered existing players a 25% loyalty discount. This sequel announcement was the last meaningful communication from the developer regarding this original game. The store description still references "Steam Early Access" language (a carryover from the original listing) and touts the game as a premium, no-microtransaction package with all elements unlocked and 15 campaigns included. The sole DLC, "The Humans," was released on April 22, 2014, and no unreleased DLC exists. There are no developer roadmaps, announced future content, or posts suggesting ongoing development of this original title since the sequel launched in November 2016. The game launched as a self-contained, finished product with no post-1.0 content cycle, and the developer has since moved focus entirely to the sequel.

Evidence

The Sandbox Evolution (the sequel) launched on Steam. Developer offered original game owners a 25% loyalty discount. This is the last developer communication related to the original game.

news post · Nov 15, 2016 source development ending

high

Developer announced The Sandbox Evolution, a full sequel, coming to Steam the following month. No new content for the original game was announced.

news post · Oct 18, 2016 source development ending

high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Released

The Humans

Apr 2014

Media

Details

Developer

PIXOWL INC.

Publisher

PIXOWL INC.

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Sandbox Simulation Indie Pixel Graphics Casual God Game Strategy 2D Physics

About this game

READY FOR CRAFTING VIRTUAL WORLDS ON YOUR PC?
The acclaimed world-building game featuring a unique mission-based approach is coming onto PC via Steam Early Access.
ONLY ON PC: Make 4X BIGGER worlds - You have 4x times more space to craft whatever you like in the CREATE mode! Plus all elements are immediately accessible, there are no limitations to your imagination!
With over 16 million players on mobile & tablets versions and 1,500,000 pixel blocks creations shared in the Online Gallery to date, this PC version is taking world crafting simulation to the next level!

CRAFT, PLAY AND SHARE!

The Sandbox is a unique world building & crafting game featuring over 200+ physics elements presented in 2D pixel blocks that can interact with each others. Players can craft amazing worlds, create pixel art, chain reactions, chiptune music, advanced contraptions, electric circuits or just play with physics.

Play with basic elements ranging from simple water, stone, sand, wood, glass, lava, fire, to more complex: electricity, metal, virus, antivirus,heater, cooler, lasers, pipes, gems, sensors, leds TNT, C4, crosswire, conveyor belt, music instruments etc.

That's not all, The Sandbox features also a wide range of casual elements, just for fun! Fish, bees, lion, flamingo, humans, zombies, robots, aliens, dinosaurs, monuments, tanks, cars, trucks!

Steam Exclusive Features

The Steam PC version of The Sandbox is a Premium adaptation of Pixowl’s famous HIT! No microtransactions, All Elements are unlocked and immediately accessible, as well as 15 original campaigns to explore: Initial Story, Dinosaurs, Pixel Art, Music, User-Created 1 & 2, Lasers and pipes, Contraptions, Humans, Zombies, Robots, Alien Invasion, Retro Gaming, Ninja and last but not least, the Ecology / Natural Disasters!

A few thrilling features, exclusively on the PC version:

Make 4X BIGGER worlds - You have 4x times more space to craft whatever you like in the CREATE mode!
All elements are immediately accessible, there are no limitations to your imagination!
Ultra-precise controls with mouse, trackpad or touch support (for touch-screen only)
Several keyboard shortcuts to create worlds faster!
Windowed display or fullscreen mode
Cloud saving of your progression online and syncing across multiple PCs via with Steam Cloud
Cross-platform compatibility of your worlds: create on PC, view on Mobile or vice-versa

Game Features

Over 200 elements you can combine for different physical effects
A classic/retro 8-bit interface
Easy to understand tutorials get you started building worlds
15 Individual Campaigns: Initial Story, Dinosaurs, Pixel Art, Music, User-Created 1 & 2, Lasers and pipes, Contraptions, Humans, Zombies, Robots, Alien Invasion, Retro Gaming, Ninja and last but not least, the Ecology / Natural Disasters!
250 puzzle Levels in total -- dozens of hours of mind challenging content for your brain!
Compose your own chiptune melodies you can play in-game. You may choose the following instruments: Note, Guitar, Bass, Trumpet and Drums
Add advanced elements to your worlds:
- Vehicles -- Cars, tanks and trucks are all available for your use within your world!
- Contraptions -- LEDs, conveyor belts, lasers, pipes and multiple sensors are all available to bring your world into the age of technology!
- Bring life to your worlds: Add humans and use Magic Job Powders to turn them into miners, builders, hunters, woodcutters or… ZOMBIES!
- Zombies -- Turn your mild-mannered human into a brain eating beast that wreaks havoc on your world!
- Robots -- Have robots taken over your world? You better obey your metal masters, puny human animals!
- Ninja & Avatar -- Play with the controllable elements: Ninja, Avatar, Snake… and create your video game levels!
- Add dinosaurs and protect them from extinction (or, recreate the BIG BANG and wipe them from the face of the Earth - the choice is yours!)
- Add animals, fish and fireflies to your worlds and watch as their behavior creates “natural drama” that rivals any reality TV show!
- Use our decorations and add awesome real-life wonders to your landscapes: The Eiffel Tower, a crashed UFO, the pyramids, futuristic buildings and a giant robot are all available at your fingertips!
- Use TNT or C4 to wreak havoc with powerful explosions or light up your sky with meteors and fireworks

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Share your creations with the world

Share your favorite universe in The Sandbox’s Online Gallery ()
Search the gallery to see the creations of other players (1,000,000 worlds and climbing!)
Rate other players’ worlds and add in your own elements to give them a surprise effect