Facepunch Studios, the developer behind Garry's Mod and Rust, has announced a major rethink for its recently released game development platform, S&box, which will include transitioning to a free-to-play model by the end of the year. The studio's founder, Garry Newman, expressed significant disappointment with the platform's performance and reception since its launch earlier this year.
Newman acknowledged that S&box has not been well-received, citing poor reviews and a lack of player retention. "I’m embarrassed by our reviews, I am ashamed," he stated in a recent announcement. Facepunch's initial focus on the engine and the development experience, while appealing to creators, has not translated into a successful player-facing product. The developer plans to shift this focus to improve the overall player experience, aiming to surpass the capabilities of Garry's Mod with enhanced NPCs, vehicles, multiplayer functionality, and customization options.
The platform's initial launch was also marred by the presence of low-quality AI-generated games, which contributed to the negative reception. Newman admitted that his initial vision of S&box as a curated "Netflix for games" was flawed. "It’s not feasible. It’s not how people discover games," he explained, noting that players are more likely to find games through recommendations, active multiplayer sessions, or by watching content creators. The goal now is to foster a platform with the best and most popular games, rather than simply the most games.
As part of the overhaul, S&box will replace its current cartoony "citizen" character models with standard human ones. The most significant change will be its transition to free-to-play, a move Newman indicated was always a long-term plan but is being expedited to attract a larger player base. Players who have already purchased S&box will receive exclusive in-game inventory items as compensation, with those who paid the higher initial price receiving more. The studio hopes these changes will steer the platform toward a more successful future, aiming to achieve the beloved status of Garry's Mod and Rust.