Sandbox places special emphasis on one of the core principles of blockchain: decentralization—not just in blockchain itself, but also in the real world. In a rare initiative, the project has launched game design bootcamps across various corners of the globe.
As one of the leading metaverse projects, Sandbox has always sought to support gamers and designers on its platform. By introducing and releasing three separate software tools, it has made game creation easier than ever: One tool for players, another for designing and building NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) such as avatars, objects, and other items for the gaming environment, and a third tool for creating lands and designing games.
Notably, using these tools does not require a single line of coding, reminiscent of games like The Sims and Minecraft.
A key strength and strategy of Sandbox lies in leveraging UGC (User-Generated Content). To this end, it spares no effort in simplifying its tools for users and providing them with training.
In its latest program to support designers, Sandbox has organized an international bootcamp tour in countries such as France, Japan, India, Singapore, and Turkey. Fortunately, as the only Iranian media representative at this program, I had the chance to participate in the Turkey bootcamp, and I will now share my experiences from this event.
July 5, Istanbul – The Center of Electronic Games
The event was held at an advanced gaming center in Istanbul’s Şişli district, right across from the Cevahir Mall. At the entrance, there was a banner with a QR code that, when scanned, minted an NFT as proof of participation in the event into your wallet.
Although the venue was small, it concealed a world of advanced computer gaming facilities. There were numerous zones, each equipped with about 20 computers, and in the center of these sections, two groups of five computers marked the area where game finals took place. Behind this area was a large screen displaying the bootcamp’s promotional banner. The dim lighting, combined with neon and LED lamps, gave the space a unique ambiance.
Participants entered the event venue one by one. Most were game designers or coders, drawn by their interest in Web 3, the metaverse, blockchain, and most importantly, the Sandbox project.
One attendee’s story stood out: a middle-aged Turkish man with the pseudonym AhuraX. Upon learning I was from an Iranian media outlet, he explained his pseudonym’s origin: “I read a lot, and among the books, I encountered the teachings of Ahura Mazda. I was so captivated by them that I chose ‘Ahura’ as my pseudonym. Since I started designing 10 years ago, I added the Roman numeral ‘X’ to the end.”
The first members of the Sandbox team to arrive were Cemre, the event coordinator; Merve, Turkey’s social media manager; and Killian, the lead game designer who had traveled from Paris to Istanbul to teach at this bootcamp. I discussed the state of the blockchain gaming ecosystem in Iran with Killian, whose eyes lit up whenever he talked about game level design, as if he were simultaneously imagining and playing it.
Around 9 a.m., Arslan, the manager of Sandbox’s growth and development for Germany, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa, joined us. Friendly and approachable, Arslan personally greeted each participant. He was delighted to hear I had traveled from Tehran to Istanbul just for this event.
After breakfast, Arslan welcomed everyone again and outlined the two-day bootcamp schedule before handing the microphone to Killian. Killian began by explaining Sandbox’s game design software, which features an intuitive interface that allows users to create and publish full games for free, without needing a single line of code.
Sandbox also uses two additional tools. VOX: This tool enables users to build anything imaginable using pixels, which can then be integrated into games or sold. The Sandbox Game: This platform allows players to access various games and potentially earn income. However, not all Sandbox games are monetized; many are shared purely for the enjoyment of creators and others.
Participants received T-shirts featuring the event’s branding and began their hands-on training on the computers. Killian’s instructions were also broadcast on a large screen and streamed on Twitch. He approached each participant individually to answer their questions after each segment of his explanation.
The bootcamp also provided excellent opportunities for networking. I met Erdem and Erim, two mid-level developers who expressed great interest in visiting Iran.
One of the most memorable parts of my experience was speaking with Arslan. When I asked for a possible meeting, he immediately invited me for coffee. At a Starbucks nearby, he shared insights about the history of the area. I was fascinated to learn that his roots traced back to Tabriz.
We had a long conversation covering topics from politics and social issues to blockchain ecosystems, video games, and potential collaborations. It was remarkable how open and willing he was to listen—something that would have been far more challenging to achieve with executives of organizations in Iran.
Over the two days, I gained valuable insights into Sandbox software, game design styles, and planning Sandbox-related activities in Iran. I hope these plans come to fruition soon.
As always, a lingering sadness stayed with me: why are such activities happening in all neighboring countries, yet in Iran, despite immense potential, we can only watch from afar?
