Architecture News

Facepunch Studios is launching s&box, a new game creation platform built on Valve's Source Engine 2, on April 28. Touted as the spiritual successor to Garry's Mod, s&box aims to foster a community-driven ecosystem by offering financial incentives to developers through "The Play Fund" and allowing them full ownership of their creations, even enabling direct export to Steam without any royalty fees. The studio has already distributed over $500,000 to developers, emphasizing a commitment to fair and generous practices over commercial milestones, aspiring for s&box to become self-sustaining.

Facepunch Studios Unveils s&box: A New Era for Game Creation with Unprecedented Developer Support

In a groundbreaking move set to redefine community-driven game development, Facepunch Studios announced the highly anticipated launch of its new platform, s&box, on April 28. Built upon the robust foundation of Valve's cutting-edge Source Engine 2, s&box is poised to emerge as the spiritual successor to the beloved Garry's Mod, offering an expansive physics sandbox and a comprehensive toolkit for creators to craft their own unique gaming experiences.

Leading up to this monumental release, Facepunch Studios articulated a clear, community-centric vision for s&box. A cornerstone of this philosophy is the establishment of a robust payment system for game developers utilizing the platform. Furthermore, s&box empowers developers with the unprecedented ability to export their creations directly from s&box and publish them on Steam, entirely free from any percentage-based fees typically levied by platforms. This bold stance underscores Facepunch's commitment to fostering a truly equitable and supportive environment for creators.

"Our compass is not guided by commercial benchmarks, nor are we planning an IPO," Facepunch Studios emphatically stated. "We are driven by a profound passion for what we do, and our aspiration is to extend the same opportunities we've enjoyed to the broader community. Our approach is rooted in fairness and generosity, devoid of any corporate machinations."

A testament to this philosophy is "The Play Fund," a financial reservoir designed to compensate developers who build games within the s&box ecosystem. Facepunch proudly revealed that it has already disbursed over $500,000 to talented game makers on its platform. The studio highlighted that this initiative, while currently funded by the profits from Garry's Mod, is engineered for sustainable growth. "While our current impact may not be as extensive as some, we are confident it will expand and prove sustainable, eliminating the need for drastic measures like widespread layoffs to maintain its functionality," Facepunch elaborated.

The Play Fund is structured to reward developers whose games and maps garner significant popularity, encouraging innovation and engagement within the community. Further details regarding this monetization model are transparently available on s&box's dedicated monetization page.

Crucially, developers who choose to build their games using s&box will retain complete and uncompromised control over their intellectual property. A strategic agreement forged between Facepunch and Valve ensures that "s&box games can be independently exported as standalone titles on Steam."

"We impose no royalties whatsoever. There are no hidden percentages, no unexpected clauses – your work remains unequivocally yours. This signifies that if your game flourishes on our platform, you are not constrained; you have the freedom to transition it to a standalone experience," the studio affirmed.

Garry Newman, CEO of Facepunch Studios, encapsulated the platform's ethos: "Our endeavor is to provide everyone with the same chances we've had… our actions are not for self-gain, but for the collective good of the community. By elevating the community, we inherently elevate ourselves. We hold steadfast faith in this principle, for it mirrors our own journey. In this ecosystem, everyone emerges a winner."

The launch of s&box represents a significant leap forward in game development, promising a future where creativity is unburdened, and developers are justly rewarded for their contributions. It's a vision that champions collaboration, innovation, and shared success within the dynamic world of gaming.

The launch of s&box by Facepunch Studios signals a pivotal moment in the gaming industry, challenging conventional development and publishing models. Its commitment to empowering creators through equitable revenue sharing and full ownership rights fosters an environment of innovation and sustainability. This approach could inspire a broader shift towards more developer-friendly platforms, encouraging independent creation and diverse gaming experiences. It reminds us that passion and community, when prioritized over pure commercial gain, can lead to remarkable and enduring success, creating a win-win scenario for both developers and players alike. This visionary strategy by Facepunch may well pave the way for a more inclusive and thriving future in game development.

Jolina Gisèle's extraordinary Pokémon card collection has captured significant attention, being touted as the most expansive and valuable of its kind globally. This compilation features an astonishing array of cards, including multiple versions of the rarest and most sought-after items, many of which remain in their original, unopened packaging. The sheer volume and quality of the collection have led to comparisons with, and claims of surpassing, established Guinness World Records for such collections. Despite the owner's assertions, the collection has also generated considerable skepticism and debate within the collecting community regarding its provenance and the motivations behind its public display.

The narrative surrounding the Gisèle collection is as intriguing as the cards themselves. Gisèle portrays herself as a childhood enthusiast whose early passion for Pokémon cards led her to implore her father to acquire every card ever released. While the details of this origin story vary slightly across different accounts, a consistent theme is the father's dedication to fulfilling his daughter's dream. This romanticized backstory, combined with Gisèle's public image and the professional marketing of the collection, has fueled public fascination while also raising eyebrows among seasoned collectors and observers.

A prime example of the collection's alleged rarity is its inclusion of multiple Pikachu Illustrator cards. These cards, originally awarded as prizes in a contest, are exceptionally scarce, with only a few dozen believed to exist worldwide. One such card fetched a staggering $16.4 million in 2026. Gisèle not only claims ownership of two of these cards but also states that she was the first to have them certified, with one being so impeccably preserved that examiners were reluctant to remove it from its protective casing for fear of damaging its pristine condition. Such anecdotes underscore the collection's purported value and historical significance.

However, the collection's public unveiling has been met with mixed reactions, including disbelief and accusations of greed rather than pure appreciation for the hobby. Critics often point to the professional, almost luxurious, branding of the collection and the lack of a prior online presence for Gisèle as reasons for their skepticism. The involvement of models and experts in promotional materials further complicates perceptions, making some question if the collection is a genuine passion project or a meticulously planned marketing endeavor.

Representatives for the Gisèle family have clarified that the collection is a family asset, with Jolina representing its public face. While they acknowledge the skepticism, they view the public attention, both positive and negative, as beneficial for raising awareness about the collection. The family has also openly stated their willingness to sell the entire collection, though not piecemeal, indicating a pragmatic approach to what has become a highly valuable and complex asset. This readiness to sell, despite claims of sentimental attachment, further blurs the lines between hobby and investment, contributing to the ongoing debate surrounding the collection's true nature and purpose.

The management of such an extensive and valuable collection presents considerable challenges, including security, insurance, and ongoing maintenance costs, all of which contribute to the family's consideration of its long-term future. The possibility of transforming the collection into a museum has been floated by potential buyers, suggesting a future where this unparalleled assembly of Pokémon cards could be preserved and publicly displayed, regardless of its ultimate ownership.