S&box, the sandbox follow-up to Garry’s Mod, is being substantially reworked after creator Garry Newman acknowledged that the project has struggled to attract and retain players.
In a development update titled “Rethinking”, Newman said the platform had failed to connect with its audience since launching in April. He described the response as disappointing and said he was ashamed of the game’s reviews.
Facepunch Studios developed S&box using Valve’s Source 2 engine. It was designed as a successor to Garry’s Mod, the physics sandbox that has sold more than 25 million copies. The newer game has had a difficult beginning, with Steam reviews at roughly 47% positive.
Facepunch is shifting towards the game itself
Newman said Facepunch placed too much emphasis on development tools and not enough on the experience available to players. His conclusion was straightforward: the studio is making a game, not merely providing an engine.
The revised plan gives priority to the core sandbox, with more non-player characters and vehicles, improved multiplayer, stronger add-on support and expanded customisation. Facepunch wants S&box to reach parity with Garry’s Mod before eventually exceeding it.
That focus on creation and community tools connects with the broader world covered in RETROCADE’s arcade and gaming news. Players who prefer building their own setup can also explore DIY arcade kits for a hands-on project.
Discovery will become more selective
Facepunch is reconsidering how players find experiences within S&box. The original concept was similar to a “Netflix for games”, allowing users to browse a large library of community-made projects. Newman said the model has not worked as intended because low-quality and AI-generated games can make worthwhile content difficult to find.
The studio now intends to curate the selection more carefully, giving greater visibility to the best and most popular games instead of prioritising the size of the catalogue. Facepunch also plans to move more of its infrastructure towards Steam Workshop rather than continuing to develop comparable in-house alternatives.
S&box is planned to become free-to-play
Another major change is a planned move to free-to-play towards the end of 2026. Newman said combining an entry fee with paid cosmetics could put off potential players. In his view, the project needs more players rather than an upfront charge.
Existing owners are set to receive exclusive Steam inventory items when the free-to-play transition occurs. Players who paid the higher $20 price will receive additional items compared with those who bought the game for $10.
For readers interested in a dedicated home gaming setup rather than a software sandbox, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide explains the key considerations. The store’s wider arcade machine range covers another way to bring multiplayer gaming into an Australian home.
“We’re making some big sweeping changes to try to improve things,” Newman wrote, asking players to be patient while the revisions take place.
Newman said he still loves the engine and the creative possibilities offered by S&box, while understanding why players have been unhappy. The proposed overhaul puts the sandbox experience, content quality and community growth ahead of the project’s original platform-first direction.
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