What is a sandbox? In computing terms, it’s a special place in memory and CPU that is isolated from the rest of the computer. In the real world, it is a box of sand that young children like to play in. In video games, it’s a game mode where the player has unlimited resources and can build or create as they wish - imagine Minecraft in Creative Mode.

Board games? There is no ‘sandbox’ yet the term “sandbox game” is thrown around a fair amount. What do reviewers and commentators mean?

For board gaming, the term ‘sandbox’ is often used to describe a game that gives the player a lot of choice or freedom of action, A Feast for Odin with its 60+ action spots and many different ways of scoring is held up as a ‘sandbox’ game. Agricola, on the other hand, isn’t classed as a ‘sandbox’ game. What is the difference?

I believe it all comes down to the difference between the game pushing you down a certain path or the game just telling you to get on with things and giving you tools to get to the goal but no guidance. After all, Agricola has a raft of worker placement spots available by the end of the game, but it’s already hit you over the head with hints well before then. The ‘do this or starve’ kind of hint. A Feast for Odin on the other hand? That game just goes: “Want help? Nah, get on with it, I’ll see you at the end of round 7, pal!”

So the latter gets labelled a ‘sandbox’ yet the former doesn’t. It is like the confusion in the video game world, where open-world gets confused with a ‘sandbox’. Minecraft in Survival Mode is not a sandbox, as there is a goal - defeat the Ender Dragon. Minecraft in Creative is a sandbox, as there is no goal. The player can set themself a goal, such as to build a fancy castle or a Redstone machine. But that isn’t the goal of the game.

A Feast for Odin has a goal, win the game by scoring the most points. Agricola has the same goal! All board games have a goal, they have to as the game must have a set end condition - be that the most points after a certain number of rounds, or to defeat the enemy pieces. Minecraft in Creative mode doesn’t have an end.

Language evolves, and language is imperfect, but the term ‘sandbox’ for a game with lots of choices and little player guidance isn’t the right term. But then again, I ain’t your dad, and so you can call that type of game whatever you want. That doesn’t mean the term ‘sandbox’ won’t annoy me.