The Sandbox has just kicked off its latest game jam, "Little Lands," bringing two well-known children's brands into the world of crypto gaming. Builders are invited to craft imaginative and meaningful games featuring either the Smurfs or the Teletubbies. With 100,000 SAND and 20 LANDs up for grabs, this game jam mixes childlike charm with deeper creative challenges, and it's all happening inside The Sandbox's recently updated Game Maker.

The Game Jam Theme: Tiny Worlds, Big Ideas

Launched on August 8, the Little Lands Game Jam challenges creators to design small-scale games with deeper messages. Builders can pick either the whimsical world of the Smurfs or the colorful universe of the Teletubbies, but not both, to create an experience that tells a story, teaches a lesson, or stirs emotions, within a compact virtual space.

The theme revolves around tiny beings in fragile worlds. Each entry should explore what happens when balance is disrupted. From quiet meadows thrown into chaos to personal quests for harmony, these games are set to pack meaning into miniature settings. Whether it's a Smurf taking on a digital mission or a Teletubby solving a soft-spoken mystery, each game should use the charm of its characters to say something bigger.

Who Can Join and How to Start

Registration is open until August 19, and anyone with a The Sandbox account can sign up. No coding experience is needed. Using The Sandbox's no-code Game Maker tool, creators can easily begin building from scratch or with the help of beginner-friendly video tutorials.

Participants must submit their games by September 3 at 4:00 PM UTC. The winners will be revealed in a live Twitch ceremony on September 20 at 6:00 PM UTC.

Alongside the competition, The Sandbox is running live workshops, offering production guides, and providing updates through its Creators Forum. These resources aim to help both first-time builders and experienced creators bring their ideas to life.

Prizes: Over 100K SAND and Special Features

The rewards are spread across multiple categories. The top 5 winners will receive SAND tokens, LAND parcels, and exclusive Catalyst Packs, which are used to upgrade in-game assets.

First place receives 18,000 SAND, a 1x1 LAND, and a Gold Catalyst Pack. Second and third places earn 14,000 and 10,000 SAND respectively, along with LAND and Silver Catalyst Packs. Prizes extend down to 10th place, with bonus Honorable Mentions getting 2,000 SAND and a 1x1 LAND each.

The first 100 valid entries also receive 100 SAND as a participation prize, provided they meet the event's rules.

There's also an IP Special Prize. Selected entries that feature Smurfs may be chosen to appear on the official Smurfs LAND in The Sandbox. If selected, these creators will receive an extra 2,000 SAND per published game.

Judging and Entry Rules

Judges will rate games based on creative ideas, level design, game design, playability, and a bonus "wow factor." Games must be created after the event's start date and built using Game Maker 0.12. Each submission must fit within a single 1x1 LAND.

If builders submit multiple entries, only the highest-ranking one will be eligible for prizes. Prize winners must also complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to claim any rewards.

To qualify, each entry must be published before the award ceremony, follow IP guidelines, and be based solely on either the Smurfs or the Teletubbies, not a mix of both. The IP holders also reserve the right to approve or reject any use of their content.

A Game Jam Built on a Stronger Foundation: Game Maker 0.12

This latest game jam arrives right after the release of Game Maker 0.12, a major update that improves both gameplay and building tools for creators. This new version introduces a reworked multiplayer system, new avatar abilities, advanced NPC logic, and full UI upgrades that make building games smoother and more powerful.

The updated matchmaking system allows multiplayer creators to set custom player counts and create lobbies where players can chat and wait together. From the dashboard or launcher, players can now jump into games through multiple entry points or join friends directly using the Friends Tab. Queue Cards above each player show which game they're lined up for, while Quick Play skips the lobby and places players in sessions that are nearly ready to go.

Game Maker 0.12 also brings a persistent data system, allowing builders to save player progress across sessions. That means players can come back to find their scores, collectibles, currencies, or inventory just as they left them. This opens the door for long-term character development and deeper gameplay loops.

New Tools for Movement and NPCs

The update adds two new avatar abilities: Dash and Glide. Dash lets players burst forward quickly, even in the air, which is useful for action or platforming games. Glide allows players to float down from heights, much like flying in a superhero game. These join earlier moves like Double Jump and Air Dance to expand creative options for movement.

NPC behavior has also been improved. Game makers can now build modular NPCs that react based on player tags. For example, they can follow you, heal you, collect nearby items, or even flee from danger. These systems work in multiplayer too, and local NPCs no longer affect performance or network resources.

Interface and HUD Overhaul

The Game Maker's interface has been reworked to guide creators through their projects more easily. Right from the start, creators pick between single-player or multiplayer game modes. Toolsets are now grouped under three tabs: Assets, Terrain, and Gameplay, to help builders stay focused.

A new HUD editor lets builders create and preview player interfaces in real time. That includes custom health bars, countdown timers, and color-coded feedback based on game stats. HUDs can now be built and tested on the spot without needing to publish or reload an experience.

Sound, Assets, and Visual Upgrades

The audio engine now runs on Wwise, a tool used in major AAA titles. It supports spatial sound, dynamic mixing, and a rich library of over 2,500 effects and music tracks designed for The Sandbox. New triggers allow for detailed sound interactions based on surface types or equipment.

Builders also get access to better asset search tools and picture previews to make browsing libraries faster. A new custom collision system allows editing object boundaries inside Game Maker, helping avoid clipping or invisible walls in gameplay. Water now reflects sunlight and includes visual effects like foam and caustic lighting.

Visual feedback has been upgraded too. Players will now see color-coded outlines for things they can pick up, interact with, or that give buffs or debuffs. And bug reports can be filed straight from the Game Maker through its new Jira integration.

Creating in the Metaverse, One Small World at a Time

The Little Lands Game Jam shows how The Sandbox continues to welcome creators of all kinds. With familiar IPs like the Smurfs and Teletubbies, and new tools in Game Maker 0.12, it's now easier to start building and shaping playful digital spaces.

No coding is needed to take part. Creators can build polished games with layered gameplay and save systems, while players get smoother, more interactive experiences. It's a simple way to try new ideas in a world full of creative adventures.

Registration ends on August 19. The deadline to submit your game is September 3. Winners will be announced on September 20 during a live Twitch ceremony.