sandbox game

noun

A game with no linear storyline or specific goal, the player deriving amusement from a range of open-ended interactions or situations.

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Meanings

nounsandbox game (plural sandbox games)

plural sandbox games

  1. roleplaying gamesvideo gamesA game with no linear storyline or specific goal, the player deriving amusement from a range of open-ended interactions or situations.

    […] the sequel to the military-themed sandbox game known as Mercenaries […]

    2008 July, GameAxis Unwired
    2 more examples

    This was the ultimate sandbox game. By providing a simple, yet rich simulation, it gave the user the tools with which to create his own fun.

    2004, Tracy Fullerton, Christopher Swain, Steven Hoffman, Game design workshop: designing, prototyping, and playtesting games

    In contrast, a sandbox game such as Civilization operates more like a hobby […]

    2007, Katie Salen, The ecology of games: connecting youth, games, and learning

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 沙盒游戲 /沙盒游戏
  • 沙盒游戲 /沙盒游戏 (shāhéyóuxì)video game with no storyline goal
Finnish hiekkalaatikkopeli
  • hiekkalaatikkopelivideo game with no storyline goal
French jeu bac à sable
  • jeu bac à sablevideo game with no storyline goal
Polish gra z otwartym światem
  • gra z otwartym światemvideo game with no storyline goal
Ukrainian пісо́чниця
  • пісо́чниця (pisóčnycja)video game with no storyline goal
Cite this entry
APA

sandbox game. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sandbox%20game

MLA

“sandbox game.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sandbox%20game. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sandbox game,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sandbox%20game.

Source: sandbox game on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.