❓FAQ: GMF Builder's Challenge

Why did you change the Game Maker Fund system?

Following the Sandbox's rapid evolution, we've implemented significant changes to the GMF system. This update aims to create a more inclusive environment and reward a wider range of creators. Since the summer 2023, over 500 diverse Experiences have enriched the platform. To accommodate this growth and support continued creator involvement, the outdated GMF system with its 70-Experience cap had to be revised. The revamped GMF offers broader accessibility. Creators crafting high-quality Experiences and implementing effective marketing strategies will now have increased opportunities for recognition and reward. We encourage all creators to explore the revised GMF system and participate in shaping the future of the metaverse. This updated system provides more individuals with the chance to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

Do I need to sign up on a form in order to enter this event?

Joining the Builders' Challenge event is simple and automatic. Signing up through a form is not required to join the Builders’ Challenge event, all eligible Experiences join the event by default.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

• Age Validation: The creator or their legal representative must be of legal age to participate in the Builder's Challenge. This aligns with our commitment to fostering a responsible and inclusive community.

• Wallet Setup: A wallet is essential for receiving and managing rewards. Visit our Wallet guide to choose and connect the wallet type you need.

• Compliance with Terms of Use: Your account must adhere to The Sandbox's Terms of Use, ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable experience for all creators.

• Game Maker Version: Your Experience must be saved on Game Maker 0.9, the latest version of the intuitive no-code game development tool.

• Account Activity: Your Game Maker account must have been opened on 7 different days to demonstrate genuine engagement with the platform.

• Event Data Exclusion: Player engagement data collected while your Experience was participating in an event will not be considered for the Engagement Pool. This helps maintain fairness among participants.

• Employee Ownership Exclusion: Your creator account must not be owned by an employee of The Sandbox or an IP in direct partnership with The Sandbox. This ensures a level playing field for all creators.

• Ban Policy: To deter cheating or unauthorized activities, we will periodically review the top 100 Experiences. If any suspicious activity is identified, your Experience may be banned at the company’s discretion. If your Experience is banned, you will receive a notification via email. Appeals can be made at [email protected].

When will I get my SAND rewards?

You can expect rewards to be distributed weekly on Mondays at 7PM UTC. they will be available on your claim page. To learn more about how claim works you can check out our claim guide. In order to claim your rewards you will have to validate the KYC process. You can find out more about the process below.

How are my earnings determined?

• Your earnings will be calculated by taking your percentage of the reward pool and multiplying that by the total reward pool for that week.

• The total reward pool for that week is calculated by multiplying the total number of eligible Experiences for that week and a flat 100 SAND; 200 SAND starting on week #6, if we see 100 hundred new Experiences on the map that week.

• Your percentage of the reward pool is determined by how your Experience meaningful playtime is compared to the total meaningful playtime across all Experiences that week.

• Your Experience meaningful playtime is the average playtime of all your players multiplied by the number of visits (none unique) done by players that have completed at least one quest.

Where will I get my earnings?

Your earnings will be available on your account’s claim page and updated every Monday at 7 PM UTC. Each weekly reward will be presented as a dedicated claim, so you can see what each Experience rewarded you that week. You will be notified via email of your reward’s availability.

Can I see my earnings across all my Experiences?

We are working on dedicated features to help you project your earnings and see your data across all Experiences on your account.

How big is the prize pool?

1M SAND for the whole event, the weekly prize pool is determined by the number of eligible Experiences that week. The weekly prize pool will be announced on Mondays and displayed on the event page. At the end the event 500K SAND will be distributed to the top 10 creators.

How can I see how many players have visited my experience?

View your Experience’s data by going to your Experience’s page into the dedicated sub tab called Analytics. You will find key info such as your Experience’s total playtime, average playtime across all visitors and the total number of visits in your Experience. You can check out our Experience Analytics guide on your Experience’s analytics page to further understand your Experience’s traffic.

Is the milestone based GMF gone?

The GMF will continue to fund games up front. This will be done under a different application process. It will continue while the Game Maker Fund is being updated to also include the Engagement Pool. We will hand pick a handful of flagship Experiences to serve as examples to the community and continue to distribute milestone-based grants to projects we believe our player community will adore.

How is the Sandbox fighting off bot accounts?

In order to avoid any cheaters we will be checking the top 100 Experiences each week and ban Experiences at our discretion if we encounter any suspicious activity. If your Experience is banned you will receive notification by email and can make an appeal at [email protected].

I didn’t get my SAND rewards this week and I am eligible, what do I do?

Sorry you are encountering this issue, we will do our best to find a solution and make sure you receive your rewards. Please fill out a request ticket here or on Discord.

How do I KYC my account?

To begin the verification process, go to your account settings on The Sandbox website, then click the Account Validation link on the left panel. KYC is a very simple process.

You will need to prove your identity by showing a government-issued identification document. This might be a passport, driving license, or national identity card, for example. Check out our KYC guide for full information, including supported countries, acceptable documents, timing, and helpful information if your documents may be rejected so you can resolve the issue.

Can I get catalysts instead of SAND?

At the moment SAND is the only reward available. The Sandbox is considering giving creators the choice of what types of rewards they wish to receive for future reward systems.

Can I do brand placement in my experience and still earn?

Yes, you are authorized to brand your Experience with IPs and brands you have partnered with and still earn rewards from The Builder’s Challenge.

Are Brands and Partners who already have a special agreement with The Sandbox eligible with Engagement Pool Rewards?

Accounts owned by any employee of The Sandbox or any IP in direct partnership with The Sandbox will not be eligible for the Builders’ Challenge. This ensures a level playing field for all creators.

If I do not own the land and am leasing it through the Land Leasing Program, am I eligible for rewards?

Unfortunately not. Experiences leasing land as part of the upcoming Land Leasing Program are not eligible for rewards.

I am a Game Jam Winner and my Experience is published on the LAND of a Top Brand/IP, am I eligible to the Engagement Pool?

Yes, 100%! Experiences from Game Jams Winner published on the LAND of a Brand or IP are eligible for rewards.

I am a Student and part of an Education/Academy program, do I get rewards?

Yes! As a student, if you make an awesome game you are entitled to rewards. Note that you or your legal representative need to be of legal age in order to be eligible for the Builders’ Challenge. Please check the reward distribution scheme set up with your Education/Academy program.

I am hosted on TSB owned LAND, am I eligible for rewards?

Experiences hosted on TSB owned land are eligible for rewards.

If my experience is featured during The Sandbox events (e.g. season, festival), is my experience eligible for the rewards?

Unfortunately, no. Player engagement data collected while your Experience was participating in an event will not be considered for the Engagement Pool. This helps maintain fairness among participants.

How can I set up rewards for players?

This feature is not yet available. The Sandbox is working on a system to allow you to reward players with NFTs or SAND if they accomplish specific actions in your Experience.

How can I validate the KYC process if the account is my company account and not my personal account?

We’ve got you covered! Please take the time to fill out this form, we will greenlight your account and you will be able to claim rewards.