Intro in the Metaverse with @TheSandboxGame

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Ekeson⚡
@ekeson_wtbSep 12, 2025

The Spaces reviewed Metaverse fundamentals and focused on The Sandbox as a practical entry point for creators, gamers, and communities. The host introduced the Metaverse as a digital layer mirroring real-world elements where users are represented by avatars, then handed to Elsie, who explained Sandbox basics: LAND (virtual plots), SAND branding, avatars, and examples like Lagos and Enugu states, Adidas, and Snoop Dogg building in-world. She highlighted low-barrier tools (VoxEdit, Game Maker), weekly quests, and a learn-and-earn path. Victor Right mapped current opportunities: Season grants recently ended (celebration space tomorrow), positioning by playing games, collecting select UGC/OG NFTs, submitting SIP (Sandbox Improvement Proposal) ideas for funding, and partnering with Sandbox Africa for Game Maker classes—especially for gaming communities. He flagged upcoming roles (e.g., ambassadorships) and a community reward program rolling out around December with events and meetups. Godin Son summarized key features (LAND ownership, VoxEdit, Game Maker, Marketplace), the value of decentralization, play-to-earn, creator economy, and major brand adoption, plus applications in gaming, education, business, and social interactions, with VR/AR/AI on the horizon. The session closed with calls to join Sandbox Africa channels, set reminders for tomorrow’s official grantee space, and start building or questing to be early and well-positioned.

Intro to the Metaverse and The Sandbox: Concepts, Tools, and Opportunities (Twitter Spaces Recap)

Participants and roles (as stated or inferred in the session)

  • Host (unnamed): Moderator and organizer of the space; framed the topics, managed Q&A, and shared community links.
  • Elsie (co-host; Speaker 2): Led the foundational overview of The Sandbox and metaverse use cases.
  • Victor Rights (Speaker 4; affiliated with Sandbox Africa): Covered current and near-term opportunities, grants, and community pathways.
  • Gordon Son (Speaker 5): Summarized key features, importance, and real-world applications of The Sandbox.
  • Other named attendees mentioned in greetings/shout-outs: Mr. Right, Shadrach, Prophecy, Armani, ST, Captain, Jay Web, Lanny, Joshua, and “Sandbox Africa” (account/community). Note: These attendees were acknowledged; not all shared substantive remarks on record.

Session focus and flow

  • Objective: Introduce the metaverse and The Sandbox, then detail practical ways to participate as players, creators, and community organizers.
  • Format: Opening housekeeping and community shout-outs; primer on the metaverse; The Sandbox overview; concrete opportunities (grants, quests, UGC/mints, SIP proposals, roles); tools for creators; community resources and an upcoming official Sandbox space; closing calls to action.

Metaverse primer (Host; Elsie)

  • Concept: A virtual/digital world that mirrors or extends physical-world activities through avatars and interactive environments.
  • Analogy and references:
    • Ready Player One: Illustrates immersive virtual space where people meet and interact from home.
    • Call of Duty multiplayer: Your in-game character represents you as you play with global participants.
    • Classic football/manager games: Create or customize an avatar with attributes—a simplified model of real-world identity and skills.
  • Technology note: Metaverse implementations often integrate blockchain for ownership, interoperability, and digital economies.

The Sandbox overview (Elsie; Host)

  • What it is: A metaverse gaming platform where users own land, build experiences, create assets, and participate in an on-chain creator economy.
  • Core building blocks (also reinforced later by Gordon Son):
    • Land: Parcels users can own, build on, rent, or sell.
    • Creator tools: VoxEdit for 3D voxel asset creation; Game Maker to build games and experiences without coding.
    • Marketplace: A venue to list, buy, and sell NFTs (assets/avatars/props) for use in experiences.
    • Token: SAND (ecosystem token for rewards, purchases, and certain participatory activities).
  • Avatars and style: Speaker described Sandbox avatars as pixel/voxel-styled; Sandbox branding emphasizes voxel art and “SAND.”
  • Examples and brand adoption (Elsie; Gordon Son):
    • Claimed examples: Lagos and Enugu (Nigerian states) have presences built in The Sandbox (stated by speaker).
    • Celebrity/brand presence: Snoop Dogg owns land; Adidas storefront; other noted brands include Gucci, Warner Music, G-SHOCK (per speakers).
  • User experience: From Nigeria or anywhere, users can explore virtual stores, socialize, and participate in quests—gaining a comparable “experience” to physical visits while transacting digitally.

Opportunities and how to position yourself (Victor Rights; Host)

  • Play-and-earn and quests:
    • Regular quests exist in- and around the Sandbox ecosystem, with rewards in SAND tokens.
    • Example mentioned by Host: “Quantum and Chaos” quest (perform tasks, earn rewards).
  • Creator Grants (Season 1 concluded):
    • The Sandbox Creator Grants Season 1 ended on August 31.
    • An official Sandbox space (the next day from this session) will celebrate grantees and discuss what’s next—recommended for anyone who missed details here.
  • Ecosystem restructuring (forward-looking):
    • The Sandbox team is expected to roll out restructuring effective next year (as per speaker), impacting opportunities and roles.
    • Action: Position early by staying active—play games, engage with updates, and acquire relevant NFTs if within risk appetite.
  • UGC/OG NFTs and reward pools:
    • A UGC-related announcement was mentioned, with a 30,000 SAND reward pool referenced; distribution details pending.
    • Speakers suggested OG/UGC NFTs might provide an edge for future roles (e.g., potential ambassador reopenings). Timing and specifics are yet to be formalized by The Sandbox team.
  • SIP (Sandbox Improvement Proposal):
    • Route for builders/organizers to propose improvements or programs that benefit the ecosystem.
    • If delegates approve, proposals can receive funding to execute.
    • Fit for community leaders with implementable ideas (education, experiences, tooling, etc.).
  • Roles and jobs via the DAO/ecosystem:
    • Potential roles noted by Host include: community manager, project manager, technical writer, video editor, content writer, and space host.
    • Emphasis: Visibility and credibility come from active participation and documented contributions.
  • Sandbox Africa initiatives (Victor Rights):
    • Open to partnerships with gaming communities for classes on VoxEdit and Game Maker—teaching people to build their own games and monetize.
    • Plans include engagement reward pools (targeted for December), physical meetups, events, and campaigns to onboard more Africans into The Sandbox ecosystem.
    • Call to action: Follow Sandbox Africa, enable notifications, and join their Telegram for updates.

Tools and how-tos for creators (Elsie; Gordon Son; Host)

  • No-code creation: Use VoxEdit to design assets and avatars; use Game Maker to build and customize experiences without learning to code.
  • Asset monetization: Creators can list assets on the Marketplace; landholders can rent or sell parcels; creators can produce tutorial content and earn via grants or community tips.
  • Learning while earning: Weekly quests and community events combine skill-building with token rewards.

Why The Sandbox matters (Gordon Son)

  • Decentralization: Unlike closed, traditional game ecosystems, The Sandbox emphasizes user ownership (assets, land, experiences).
  • Play-to-earn: Players can earn by participating in games and events.
  • Creator economy: Artists, developers, and brands can monetize creations directly.
  • Major brand adoption: Presence of global brands and celebrities enhances network effects and demand for quality experiences.
  • Real-world applications:
    • Gaming/entertainment: User-generated worlds and social hangouts.
    • Education: Hands-on learning via guided quests and creator curricula.
    • Business and social: Virtual storefronts, branded activations, and community hubs.
    • Road ahead: Anticipated deeper VR/AR/AI integrations and more creator-friendly workflows.
  • Early-adopter advantage: Builders, landowners, and gamers who invest early effort can compound influence and opportunity.

Concrete next steps and calls to action

  • Join the official Sandbox space about Creator Grants (link was pinned during the session); set reminders and attend for updates on grants and future programs.
  • Follow and join Sandbox Africa channels (Twitter/Telegram) to access:
    • Upcoming classes on VoxEdit and Game Maker.
    • Partnership opportunities for gaming communities.
    • Engagement reward pools (targeted around December), meetups, and campaigns.
  • Explore current quests (e.g., “Quantum and Chaos”) to learn and earn.
  • If you have an idea that strengthens the ecosystem, draft and submit a SIP proposal.
  • For those able to assume risk, research current UGC/OG NFT mints tied to Sandbox announcements and consider positioning—but only after due diligence.
  • Document contributions: Create tutorials, write-ups, or videos on Sandbox tools and games; share feedback publicly to build a visible track record.

Notable highlights from the session

  • Clear framing of The Sandbox’s four pillars: Land, VoxEdit, Game Maker, Marketplace.
  • Emphasis on low barrier to creation (no coding required) and monetization pathways.
  • Practical pathways for newcomers: play quests, join communities, attend classes, and contribute content.
  • Signals of near-term change: ecosystem restructuring next year; potential reopening of ambassador/other roles; UGC reward pools.

Open questions and uncertainties

  • The exact structure and timeline of The Sandbox’s 2025 restructuring were not detailed.
  • The referenced UGC/OG NFT reward mechanics (e.g., the 30,000 SAND pool) and distribution specifics remain to be clarified by official channels.
  • Brand/state builds cited (e.g., Lagos/Enugu) were mentioned by speakers; listeners should verify current status via official Sandbox sources.

Closing notes and resources

  • A pinned link to the official Sandbox space (celebrating grant awardees and outlining future plans) was shared; attendees were urged to set reminders.
  • The host also shared a Telegram link for Sandbox Africa and encouraged following speakers for future updates, workshops, and opportunities.
  • Ethos: Be early, be active, upskill with the provided tools, and plug into community channels to catch opportunities as they go live.