Sandbox Retro Fun and Festive Rewards

A Big Year Ends with a Creative Boost

The Sandbox is closing 2025 with a one–two punch of creativity: the launch of its Retro Game Jam and the debut of its first-ever NFT Advent calendar. It’s a fitting finale to a transformative year for one of the most recognizable names in blockchain games, combining nostalgia, competition, and community-driven building in true Sandbox style.

Let’s break down everything creators, players, and NFT collectors need to know.

Retro Game Jam Rekindles Classic Arcade Magic

The newly opened Retro Game Jam is officially live, with entries accepted from November 27 through December 23. The theme is simple but packed with potential: build an arcade-inspired experience that pays homage to the golden age of gaming.

Creators are encouraged to channel pixel graphics, chiptune audio, and simple yet addictive game mechanics. Think classic platformers, top-down adventures, roguelikes, or even rhythm-based arcade loops—anything that captures that retro soul while adding a modern twist.

To help newcomers, The Sandbox hosted a workshop on December 5, guiding participants through the creation workflow, asset library, and Game Maker templates. Entries close at 5:00 p.m. UTC on December 23, and winners will be announced live on Twitch on January 17.

A Massive Prize Pool and Alpha Season Spotlight

A Game Jam wouldn’t be complete without rewards, and this one comes with a substantial 150,000 $SAND prize pool. The prizes break down into several tiers:

• 1st place: 10,000 $SAND + Gold CATALYST Pack

• 2nd place: 8,000 $SAND + Silver Pack

• 3rd place: 5,000 $SAND + Silver Pack

• 4th–10th place: Smaller $SAND rewards + Silver or Bronze Packs

• Up to 10 honorable mentions: 1,000 $SAND each

But the standout reward goes beyond tokens. Ten of the best submissions will be handpicked for The Sandbox’s next Alpha Season. Each selected creator gets 10,000 $SAND, a 1x1 LAND, and a featured slot in the upcoming content lineup—a major visibility boost for any aspiring game designer.

To further support participation, the first 100 valid entries receive a free CATALYST Pack.

Tools, Templates, and Everything Creators Need

The Sandbox has expanded its toolset significantly this year, and Game Jam contestants can take full advantage.

The platform’s Game Maker templates cover multiple genres—tower defense, survival, RPG, platformer—and provide a base for quick iteration. For retro-themed builds, asset library updates from version 0.11 are especially helpful, offering categorized 3D models that let creators move fast without sacrificing quality.

Judges will evaluate submissions on gameplay, creativity, and authentic use of retro themes, so participants are encouraged to lean into nostalgia while keeping experiences fresh and player-friendly.

Season’s Greetings 2025 Brings The Sandbox’s First NFT Advent Calendar

The Retro Game Jam arrives right after the launch of Season’s Greetings 2025, The Sandbox’s holiday event running from December 1 to December 31. This year introduces something new: the platform’s first NFT Advent calendar.

Mintable for just 20 $SAND, the calendar unlocks 24 mini-games—one for each day leading up to Christmas. Every game rewards a unique seasonal NFT created by 13 contributing artists. Unlike previous seasonal events, this one is accessible to everyone. No avatar ownership, no LAND requirement, no barriers.

A life-size Advent calendar also appears in the game world, with each door linking to its own quest. Players can complete unlocked quests anytime before 14:00 UTC on December 31, making it easy to catch up on missed days.

The final gift on December 24 is the Cozy Yéti Avatar, an exclusive character NFT earned through completing the final challenge.

A Smaller, More Collectible-Focused Event Than 2023

For longtime Sandbox fans, this year’s holiday celebration might feel more intimate than previous years. Back in 2023, the Season’s Greetings event featured over 60 experiences and a huge 600,000 $SAND prize pool. It also included branded content from iconic IPs like The Walking Dead and Warner Music.

The 2025 version shifts away from heavy token rewards and toward curated collectibles and accessible content. The smaller scale is deliberate—a response to the platform’s evolving strategy during a year of major restructuring.

2025 Was a Year of Rebuilding and Reinvention

The Sandbox underwent big internal changes this year. Co-founders Arthur Madrid and Sebastien Borget stepped back from executive roles, while Robby Yung of Animoca Brands stepped in as CEO. The company reduced staff, closed several international offices, and moved toward leaner operations.

These structural changes unlocked a more efficient production cycle, including deeper integration of AI tools for game creation and moderation.

Even with downsizing, The Sandbox delivered two full Alpha Seasons in 2025.

• Alpha Season 5 (April): Over 40 experiences, $1M+ in prizes, Ethos Points, and upgraded movement systems like flying and double-jumping.

• Alpha Season 6 (September): Premium Pass model, Cirque du Soleil content, 250,000 $SAND prize pool, exclusive avatars, and 35 progression levels.

The platform also rolled out version 0.12 of the game client, enhancing multiplayer features, UI, NPC companions, real-time lobbies, and world-building tools.

A Festive, Community-Driven Finish to the Year

With the Retro Game Jam running through December 23 and the Advent calendar event available until December 31, The Sandbox is closing 2025 by doubling down on creativity, nostalgia, and community participation.

Whether you’re a creator aiming for Alpha Season recognition, a collector hunting holiday NFTs, or a player curious about throwback-style experiences, now is the perfect time to jump back into The Sandbox’s evolving virtual world—and maybe even leave your mark on the final weeks of the year.