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s&box
What s&box is
s&box is a Source 2 game creation platform for playing, making, and sharing community games. Its editor uses C# and .NET 10 for scene editing, with code hotloading that applies changes in milliseconds. Networking is built into the engine and includes lobbies, dedicated servers, and custom networking over HTTP and WebSockets. Creators can publish from the editor to s&box or export standalone games for Steam. Standalone distribution is in preview and requires Valve approval plus a Facepunch license; Steam terms and revenue share still apply there. Facepunch says it takes no engine royalties or revenue share. Creators may earn through cosmetic sales or the Play Fund, which pays based on play and is funded by cosmetic purchases. s&box is distributed through Steam and uses Steam Workshop for cosmetic sales. Windows and Linux are supported, while macOS is described as coming soon. Steam lists Windows 10 minimum, Windows 11 recommended, 16 GB minimum RAM, and broadband internet.
Who it suits
s&box suits creators building multiplayer community games with C# and .NET 10. It also fits players and developers using Windows or Linux through Steam.
What it does well
- Scene editing with C# and .NET 10
- Code hotloading applies changes quickly
- Built-in lobbies and dedicated servers
- Publish to platform or Steam
- Play Fund and cosmetic earnings
What to know first
- No free plan
- Standalone release is still in preview
- Standalone needs Valve approval and Facepunch license
- macOS is only coming soon
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| s&box | $10 · Available on Steam · standalone distribution is in preview and requires Valve approval and a Facepunch license | $10, paid once |
As sbox.game lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
s&box combines a Source 2 editor, built-in networking, and community publishing. Its preview status and standalone requirements matter if you plan releases beyond the platform.
Facts from s&box's own pages
- Creator earnings
- Creators can earn through cosmetic sales or the Play Fund, which pays based on play and is funded by cosmetic purchases. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Development
- The editor uses C# and .NET 10, with scene editing and code hotloading that applies changes in milliseconds. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2004 · sbox.game, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Birmingham, England, United Kingdom · sbox.game, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- s&box is distributed through Steam, uses Steam Workshop for cosmetic sales, and offers Steam standalone publishing subject to its stated requirements. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Multiplayer
- Networking is built into the engine, and its documentation describes lobbies, dedicated servers, and custom networking over HTTP and WebSockets. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The official homepage lists Windows and Linux as supported and says macOS is coming soon. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- s&box is a game creation platform for playing, creating, and sharing community games, built on Source 2. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- Creators can publish games from the editor to the s&box platform or export standalone games for Steam; Facepunch says it takes no engine royalties or revenue share. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The platform's API whitelist blocks code that fails its checks from loading during play, while editor code and libraries are not subject to those restrictions. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- The maker's documentation says editor libraries do not have to follow the API whitelist restrictions. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Standalone limitation
- Standalone distribution is in preview and requires Valve approval and a license from Facepunch; Steam's standard terms and revenue share still apply. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Getting Started page directs users to documentation, tutorials, the forum, Discord, and GitHub bug reporting. · sbox.game, 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- Steam lists Windows 10 minimum and Windows 11 recommended, with 16 GB minimum RAM and a broadband internet connection. · store.steampowered.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where s&box stands on Freedom251
- Game Leaderboard Software#37 of 37