Sandbox (video game editor)

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CryEngine Sandbox Editor

Developed by	Crytek, Crytek R&D Group.
Latest release	1.1.1 / 2003
OS	Microsoft Windows
Genre	level editor
Website	http://www.crytek.com/technology/index.php

Sandbox is the level editor included with the game Far Cry that enables the construction of maps and modifications ("mods") for the CryEngine 3D environment technology.

The editing style is that of the sandbox concept, with the emphasis on large terrains and a free style of mission programming. The editor can also construct indoor settings.

Opposed to editors like UnrealEd which use a "subtractive" editing style that takes away areas from a filled world space, the Sandbox has an "additive" style (like Quake II). Objects are added to an overall empty space.

The Sandbox's concentration on potentially huge (in theory, hundreds of square kilometers) terrain, means that it uses an algorithmic form of painting textures and objects onto the landscape. This uses various parameters to define the distribution of textures or types of vegetation. This is intended to save time and make the editing of such large terrains feasible while maintaining the overall "real world" sandbox free roaming style. This is different from some editing styles that often use "fake backdrops" to give the illusion of large terrains.

In a fashion somewhat comparable to the 3D Renderer Blender, which can be used for game design, the Sandbox editor has the ability, with a single key press, for the editor to jump straight into the current design. This is facilitated without loading the game as the game engine is already running within the editor. The "player" view is shown within the 3D portion of the Editor.

The Editor also supports all the CryEngine features such as vehicles and physics, scripting, advanced lighting (including real time, moving shadows). Polybump technology, shaders, 3D audio, character Inverse kinematics & animation blending, dynamic music.

The CryEngine 2 - Sandbox 2 game editor has been announced for inclusion in the game Crysis.