The Builders’ Challenge Returns in 2025
Builders’ Challenge 3 is coming and it’s shorter, more equitable, and built to reward creators based on real engagement.
The Builders’ Challenge returns for its third installment with more rewards, excitement, and focus on creators than ever! Building on the successes of 2024 and feedback from our community, we’ve reimagined the challenge to better help creators showcase their talents and shape the future of the metaverse.
TL;DR
- The Builders’ Challenge returns on February 26, 2025.
- The format has been redesigned with a shorter duration, the removal of boosters and leaderboards, and a more equitable reward distribution system.
- Experiences must be created using the most recent version of Game Maker 0.11. Download here.
What Is the Builders’ Challenge?
The Builders’ Challenge is a recurring event in The Sandbox that rewards creators for developing engaging experiences. First introduced in 2024, it features an engagement-based earning model that incentivizes creators to grow their communities, attract players, and design games that keep audiences coming back for more. For this third installment of the Builders’ Challenge, we’ve incorporated feedback from the community — as well as our own — to make it the best creator-earning event yet!
Key Dates To Remember
- Live Q&A: On February 17, 2025, the team will answer questions and offer insights before the event begins. The Q&A will start at 1 p.m. UTC and will be hosted in our Discord. You can submit your questions in advance here.
- Event Launch: February 26, 2025–5 PM UTC.
- Event End: March 26, 2025–5 PM UTC.
Rewards for the event will be distributed by April 9 and available on the Claims page.
What’s New in Builders’ Challenge 3?
You shared your insights, and we took them to heart. The Builders’ Challenge has always been about unlocking creativity and rewarding talent, and this year, we’re making it even better. With a refined approach that fosters fairness, engagement, and creative freedom, we’ve introduced key improvements to enhance the experience for all participants.
Key updates in the Builders’ Challenge 3:
- Simpler, Shorter Format:
This Builders’ Challenge runs for just four weeks, creating a burst of energy and excitement while avoiding the fatigue of a longer event. This allows us to quickly implement your feedback, creating a faster, more meaningful cycle of improvements, rewards, and fun. This ensures that the event evolves alongside our creators. - No Leaderboards:
Competitive leaderboards have been replaced with a focus on individual achievement and creativity. This ensures creators can focus on delivering incredible experiences without external pressure or comparison. - No More Boosters:
We’ve removed boosters to ensure a fairer competition. Now, every experience is judged purely on engagement and creativity. - Equitable Rewards:
A new rewards system has been introduced, focused on authentic engagement while ensuring fairness for all participants. Rewards are based on factors such as visits and playtime, reflecting the quality of your experience and the enjoyment it provides players. Improvements to anti-cheat measures also promote a level playing field for all creators, safeguarding the event while our team continuously evaluates to maintain balance. - Balanced Distribution:
Rewards are designed to scale with engagement and participation without a fixed prize pool limit, ensuring that every creator has the opportunity to earn based on the quality of their experience. To ensure rewards are distributed fairly across all participants, a single experience can earn no more than 50,000 SAND over the four weeks. This also means that one experience’s success will not detract from the earnings of another experience.
How to Participate
Excited to join? Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just beginning your journey, now is the time to prepare.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Plan, Create, or Update Your Experiences:
Want to maximize your success? Start planning and crafting your ideas now so you’re ready when the event begins. Whether creating a new experience or updating an existing one for Game Maker 0.11, the work starts now! - Publish Your Experience on The Sandbox Map:
Publish a unique and engaging experience that captivates players directly on your LAND. Use the latest Game Maker 0.11 version to elevate your creation and ensure a smooth, immersive experience that encourages players to dive in. - Engage Your Audience:
Creating a great experience is only half the work! Build excitement for your game by sharing it with the world. Leverage social media, organize live events, and host streams to attract players and draw them into your experience. - Celebrate Your Success:
Sit back and watch as players explore your creation. Your rewards are based on the engagement your experience generates, highlighting the importance of quality and player enjoyment.
⚠️ IMPORTANT
Make sure you read the Event Rules and comply with our policies before joining the event. Failure to comply with rules could lead to your experiences being ineligible for rewards or, in some cases, disqualification or a ban on your account. We encourage you to carefully read the rules and Terms of Use, linked below:
- Read Builders’ Challenge Event Rules
- Read The Sandbox Terms of Use
Your Journey Starts Now
The Builders’ Challenge is about celebrating creativity and building games that players enjoy. Whether you’re here to explore new ideas, connect with players, or earn rewards for your work, this is your chance to leave your mark.
Learn more about the Builders’ Challenge and start building your experience today!
Need inspiration? Check out past winners, connect with fellow builders, and explore what’s possible. We can’t wait to see your world come to life!
