TL;DR

Council Recommendation: Positive 🙂

What

Sandbox Academy is an educational initiative designed to empower college students in the Philippines with practical skills and knowledge to become proficient builders in The Sandbox. The program focuses on hands-on workshops, both on-site and online, to teach students how to create their own games on The Sandbox platform. By implementing this initiative, Sandbox Academy aims to create a sustainable impact on education and community development, empowering students to leverage their skills in the rapidly growing digital and gaming landscape.

Why

The Sandbox DAO's support for Sandbox Academy will not only enhance educational opportunities and community engagement but also drive the platform's growth and utilization, aligning with the DAO's broader goals and mission. The initiative promotes community engagement by encouraging collaboration among Sandbox builders and studios across the Philippines. This not only expands the reach of The Sandbox but also builds a strong, supportive network of creators who can share resources and knowledge, enhancing the overall ecosystem.

How

The SIP seeks 51,560 SAND to finance Sandbox Academy, a 1-month intensive training, held in different universities for 6 batches. Program per batch (1 month): 20-40 students depending on the university’s facility. On-site Workshop Schedule: 4 sessions x 3-4 hours (Saturdays or Sundays). Online Workshop Schedule: 12 sessions x 3 hours (3 days during Weekdays, preferably Monday, Wednesday & Friday)

When

From SIP Acceptance, Phase 1, involves 1 month of planning and preparation, securing partnerships with six universities, developing curriculum, and recruiting facilitators. Phase 2 focuses on conducting monthly workshops at each institution, blending in-person and online training sessions, with practical game-building activities and ongoing support for 6 months. Phase 3 enables students to develop their own games in the final week of each workshop, culminating in a Game Jam with rewards for top projects. Subsequent phases include awarding certificates and NFTs, expanding collaborations, and evaluating the initiative's impact with a comprehensive report and improvement proposals.

Who

I am a two-time Top 10 winner in game jams as a solo dev, demonstrating my skill and creativity in game development competitions. I have also worked as a Level Artist and Game Designer at Smobler Studios, where I contributed to the creation of several notable games including "Clay Nation," "3VEREST Icefall," "3VEREST The Wall," and "Yeti Realm." My experience spans various aspects of game design and development, showcasing my ability to bring engaging and immersive experiences to life. mbago@internalplaymusic.com https://x.com/MarkJosephBago3 https://www.facebook.com/mark.j.bago/

SIP Details

Problem Description

• Lack of Practical Skills in Game Development: Many college students in the Philippines lack access to practical, hands-on training in game development and digital content creation. Traditional curricula often do not include the latest technologies and tools used in the gaming industry, leaving students underprepared for careers in this rapidly growing field.
• Recognition and Certification:Many students and hobbyists who acquire game development skills informally lack formal recognition or certification, which can hinder their career prospects.
• Institutional Engagement: Colleges and universities often have underutilized resources that could be leveraged for innovative educational programs.

Solution Proposed

Sandbox Academy provides targeted, practical workshops that equip students with the skills needed to build and create games within The Sandbox, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Sandbox Academy targets 6 universities in the Philippines, 1-month intensive program each, mixing online and on-site sessions. I am connected with the Department of Education. I'll talk to each university once the proposal is approved by the community. The On-site workshops will take place at colleges and universities, utilizing their modern computer labs for an immersive learning experience. These in-person sessions will be held on weekends, providing students with hands-on training over four weekends each month. This setup allows students to fully engage with the material, collaborate with peers, and receive direct support from me. By making use of the institutions' resources and facilities, the workshops offer a practical introduction to game development on The Sandbox platform, ensuring participants gain valuable skills in a conducive learning environment.

By training students to participate in The Sandbox Game Jams, Builders Challenge, and Voxedit contests, the initiative opens up pathways for earning SAND tokens and LAND. This not only provides financial benefits but also creates potential career opportunities in the digital and gaming industries. By partnering with these institutions, Sandbox Academy ensures that existing facilities are used effectively to provide cutting-edge education. The donation of a 1x1 LAND parcel to the college encourages ongoing engagement and utilization of student skills in real-world projects.

Benefit to The Sandbox Ecosystem

Supporting the Sandbox Academy initiative aligns with The Sandbox DAO's goals of ecosystem growth, community engagement, and economic empowerment. By investing in this project, The Sandbox DAO not only fosters the development of a skilled and active community but also ensures the long-term sustainability and success of The Sandbox platform. The initiative's focus on education, collaboration, and formal recognition makes it a valuable addition to The Sandbox ecosystem. Creators making games in The Sandbox ecosystem drive incredible benefits and growth:

Platform Activity

• Engagement: New games attract players, boosting user engagement and retention.
• Variety: Diverse games make the platform more appealing to gamers, creators, and investors.

Economic Impact

In-Game Economy: Games drive demand for assets, SAND tokens, and LAND parcels, stimulating economic activity. Revenue: Popular games generate revenue through in-game purchases and ads, supporting ecosystem sustainability.

Community Growth

• Skill Development: Creating games enhances developers' skills, fostering a dynamic, talented community.
• Collaboration: New creators collaborate with seasoned members, strengthening community bonds.

Platform Innovation

• Tool Feedback: Developers' feedback improves tools like Game Maker and Voxedit.
• Creativity: New ideas and game mechanics keep the ecosystem fresh and exciting.

Promotion

• Word of Mouth: Successful games and positive experiences lead to organic promotion.
• Loyalty: Investment of time and resources fosters strong brand loyalty.

DAO Governance

• Active Involvement: Engaged creators contribute to DAO governance, shaping The Sandbox’s future.
• Community Projects: Experienced creators initiate projects, enriching the ecosystem. By leveraging creators' innovation and passion, The Sandbox ecosystem thrives and evolves, attracting a dedicated and engaged community.

Risk analysis

1. Low student engagement and participation may lead to low attendance in workshops. Mitigation includes offering incentives like NFT badges and SAND tokens, using effective marketing strategies, and ensuring the content is interactive and relevant to students' interests.
2. Participants might face technical challenges like lack of hardware or stable internet. Mitigation includes providing robust technical support, partnering with universities to ensure resource access, and offering a hybrid model with both in-person and online workshops.
3. The budget of 51,560 SAND may be insufficient for the six-month initiative. Mitigation includes implementing strict budget management, seeking additional sponsorships and grants, and utilizing cost-effective solutions for logistics and materials..

Budget requested

Overall cost from SAND Initiatives: 51,560 SAND Breakdown of the cost for 6-month of the program

• Allowance: 10,000 SAND
• Transportation and Accommodation: 10,000 SAND
• Laptop: 3,000 SAND
• School Assistants: 7,000 SAND
• 200 T-shirts: 5,000 SAND
• Posters and other marketing materials: 1,000 SAND
• Pizza and drinks for students: 5,000 SAND
• GJ Sand Prizes: 10,320 SAND
• 6 x 1x1 LAND from DAO NFT Collection
• 240 Catalyst to Mint NFT Badges: 240 SAND TOTAL: 51,560 SAND

Implementation Plan

Team/Author Background

I am Mark Joseph Bago, a two-time Top 10 winner in game jams as a solo dev, demonstrating my skill and creativity in game development competitions. I have also worked as a Level Artist and Game Designer at Smobler Studios, where I contributed to the creation of several notable games including "Clay Nation," "3VEREST Icefall," "3VEREST The Wall," and "Yeti Realm.". I’m also part of The Sandbox SEA community lead by Mr. George Wong. My experience spans various aspects of game design and development, showcasing my ability to bring engaging and immersive experiences to life. As the leader of Sandbox Academy in the Philippines, I am committed to not only empowering students locally but also supporting educators globally who wish to start their own initiatives. By offering guidance and resources, I aim to ensure a consistent and high-quality curriculum across all Sandbox Academy programs worldwide. This unified approach will help cultivate a global community of skilled creators, fostering innovation and growth within The Sandbox ecosystem. Together, we can provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in the digital and gaming industries, no matter where they are.