Garry Newman, the creator of the enduringly popular sandbox game Garry's Mod, has issued a candid assessment of his studio's spiritual successor, S&box, admitting the project has struggled to find an audience and announcing a series of significant changes aimed at improving its prospects. In a blog post titled “Rethinking,” Newman revealed that the game has failed to resonate with players since its April launch, citing poor reviews and low player retention.
Developed by Facepunch Studios using Valve's Source 2 engine, S&box was conceived as a successor to Garry's Mod, which has sold over 25 million copies. However, the new title has faced a difficult reception, with its Steam reviews currently sitting at approximately 47% positive. Newman acknowledged that the studio's focus on development tools may have overshadowed the core player experience.
Facepunch Studios intends to reorient S&box by prioritizing its core sandbox experience. Plans include the addition of more NPCs and vehicles, alongside improvements to multiplayer functionality, add-on support, and customization options. The studio's ultimate goal is to bring S&box's experience in line with, and eventually surpass, that of Garry's Mod.
The discovery of games within S&box is also being re-evaluated. Newman conceded that his initial vision of a curated platform, likened to a "Netflix for games," has not materialized as intended. The proliferation of low-quality and AI-generated content has reportedly made it challenging for players to find compelling experiences. Moving forward, Facepunch will emphasize curation to highlight superior and popular games, shifting its infrastructure more towards Steam Workshop integration.
A pivotal change for S&box will be its transition to a free-to-play model, anticipated by the end of 2026. Newman stated that the current entry fee, coupled with paid cosmetics, may be deterring potential players. He emphasized the need for a larger player base over immediate revenue from initial purchases.
Existing owners of S&box will receive exclusive Steam inventory items upon its free-to-play launch. Those who purchased the game at the higher $20 price point will receive additional exclusive items. Newman concluded by expressing understanding for player disappointment while reaffirming his commitment to improving the project through these substantial changes, asking for patience as the studio implements them.