SIP-14: Enable Window Sizing & Resolution Options for Game Client, Game Maker, VoxEdit, Launcher

Council recommendation: Negative

The decision is based on concerns about inefficiencies in the current feature request process, which pulls requests from multiple sources without proper prioritization. This could lead to significant development efforts being diverted away from core priorities.

TL;DR

What

The SIP requests that the Sandbox (TSB) Development Team prioritize updating the graphics settings of Game Maker, Vox Editor, Game Client, and Sandbox Launcher to enable Resolution Options for 420p,720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K, and enable up/down/left/right Window Resizing. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12jFsiyItxvy8jh0rQ_byzmFn2s_gKTn_yJLURsnzd0U/edit?usp=sharing

Why

Increase the functionality of the Sandbox Game Client, Game Maker, VoxEdit, and Sandbox Launcher. Many SandFam have been wanting these features for years.

How

The DAO will issue a request to the Sandbox Development Team to make both resizing program windows and adjusting screen resolutions a high-priority fix in future version updates.

When

The expectation would be for TSB to implement the changes within the next two releases of each program listed in the “What” section.

Who

MetaWorlds is a Sandbox Trusted Partner that publishes mini-games to the Sandbox and hosts the SANDDAO Podcast. Publisher of Floor Droppers, Lava Defense, and the upcoming Portal Run; Lanzer: SANDDAO Podcast Host, Landowner, Experience Publisher, Program Manager, Contract Writer & Negotiator, Entrepreneur, Guinness World Record; Donsun: Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Program Manager, Contract Writer & Negotiator, Proposal Writer Keisha: Philosophy graduate, Proposal Writer, Deep Analysis Researcher

SIP Details

Problem Description

As of June 17, 2024, users are not able to resize the program window of the current version of Game Client (version 0.10.9), Game Maker (0.10.9.954), VoxEdit (a9422c20), or Sandbox Launcher (0.10.9). This makes routine window management for computer users a difficult task that unnecessarily complicates the activities of the users of these programs.

Issues to be addressed:

• Enable resizing through interaction with window borders, allowing users to better manage their windows
• Enable a list of resolution options within graphic settings, providing various monitor setups and ensuring a consistent user experience across all products

Solution Proposed

Game Maker

• Allow Window Resizing, both horizontal and vertical
• Allow Resolution Sizes that match 420p,720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K

Vox Edit

• Allow Window Resizing, both horizontal and vertical
• Feedback from the Sandbox Product Team is that Resolution Options for Vox Edit doesn’t make sense as it is only a windowed application

Game Client

• Allow Resolution Sizes that match 420p,720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K
• The Sandbox Game Client allows resolution options for some computer setups, but larger monitors still have a restriction
• Feedback from the Sandbox Product Team is resizing is a significant challenge to implement, as the whole UI needs to be adapted to dynamic size and be responsive.

Launcher

• Allow Window Resizing, both horizontal and vertical
• Allow Resolution Sizes that match 420p,720p, 1080p, 2K, 4K

By implementing these changes, we aim to improve the overall usability and adaptability of the programs for a wider range of users and use cases.

• Resizing of launcher windows: Window resizing features are standard to most programs. A software package lacking these capabilities comes off as unpolished to the average end user. As the launcher is the first impression a new user gets of the Sandbox game, a priority should be placed on implementing standard quality-of-life features (such as window resizing) that users have come to expect of all mature software programs.
• Adjustment of screen resolution within the client: Inflexible resolutions within the client regularly cut off portions of the screen for larger resolution monitors, leaving users unable to see or access critical buttons often found near the edges of the screen (such as the “E” equip while viewing inventory in-game, or the “Quit to Desktop” button in the Escape menu).
• Use Case: An example of this would be a VoxEdit artist who wants to resize windows to see a folder list of files next to a picture window of an example asset alongside the VoxEdit program, or a Game Maker who needs to frequently switch to web-based tools, such as the future Magic Palette by the SAND RUSH team. While the Alt+Tab function exists, modern software capabilities make it unnecessary to require users to solely rely on this function.

Benefit to The Sandbox Ecosystem

Both of these issues are problematic to SandFam Gamers, Game Maker developers, VoxEdit artists, and Studios needing to reference multiple windows, files, and programs while creating content for the Sandbox ecosystem or participating in the Sandbox metaverse. Alleviating these issues will allow for easier creation of experiences and assets and a richer Sandbox experience for all.

This SIP affects the entire SandFam community. In 2022, Sandbox reported that 1M players played the Sandbox. At NFC Lisbon, Seb reported that the Sandbox has 330K creators, with Game Maker having 56K monthly active users, and VoxEdit had 375K installs. In June 2024, NAMRIA estimates that Sandbox currently has 2.3K daily players.

Risk analysis

This could offset the priority for other fixes. As we do not have access to a Roadmap of future improvements, we cannot know what this offset would be.

SIP Category

Platform

Implementation Plan

• The Sandbox Product Team would insert these in each Product’s backlog
• That these improvements be made within the next two releases of each program listed in the “What” section.

Team/Author Background

Lanzer is a long-time contributor to the Sandbox. He found his way to Sandbox midway through Season 1 as a gamer, then expanded into avatar holder, landowner, Experience publisher, and now DAO participant. He is President of MetaWorlds Studio, which has published Floor Droppers (ranked 7 of 682 during Builder’s Challenge 1), Lava Defense (GMF 2023), and is projected to publish 1 more experience before August 2024. Recently, he published the SANDDAO Podcast to explore the community’s reaction to the Sandbox DAO.

Lanzer has a 13+ year professional background in Contract Management, Program Management, and business entrepreneurship. He has extensive experience in negotiating $100M+ contracts, leading 15+ person subject matter expert (SME) teams, and running $1B+ program portfolios. He co-founded a community-led organization that broke a Guinness World Record, a record still held today. He holds a master's degree in Acquisitions and his career certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) & Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB), among others. Most importantly, he is a proud SandFam & MocaFam member and believes in the Sandbox’s vision to be the capital of the metaverse.

Donsun is a founding member of MetaWorlds, an avid gamer and crypto enthusiast. After being introduced to the Sandbox as a gamer, Donsun teamed up with Lanzer to take on their passion projects; the development of Floor Droppers and their two ongoing experiences for the Sandbox Builder’s Challenges. He worked alongside Lanzer to develop the proposal package which got their project funded by the Game Makers Fund in 2023. Donsun has a professional background as a Contract Manager, Project Manager, and Entrepreneur. Having run his own businesses, Donsun has extensive experience running everything from $320K+ projects to $350M+ programs. This includes drafting proposals, developing project specifications, budgets, and timelines, as well as leading project teams of 15+ people.

Keisha is a philosophy graduate with a strong background in research. Her analytical skills and dedication to thorough investigation make her well-equipped to contribute to the proposal development process, where she delivers insightful analysis into the complex topics of the Sandbox DAO Improvement Proposals.

APPENDIX

Alternatives Considered

While Alt+Tab and Alt+Enter functions exist for some level of window resizing via keyboard shortcuts, modern software capabilities make it unnecessary to require users to solely rely on these manual functions.

Current Program Versions

• Game Maker 0.10.9.954
  • Has a list of resolutions for under 1920x1080 but does not allow window resizing. Does not have a list of resolutions for sizes above 1920x1080
• Game Client 0.10.9.0
  • Does not list resolutions nor allow window resizing