Two months post its 0.8 release, The Sandbox has unveiled a substantial update to its Game Client, marked as version 0.9.7. This release introduces key elements, highlighted by a completely overhauled UI, gameplay features such as oxygen consumption, fall damage, and buffs/debuffs, along with multiplayer features like rankings and a new metaverse map accessible via the dashboard.

To enhance overall gameplay performance, The Sandbox has revamped the engine in Game Client 0.9, resulting in faster loading times and improved camera and navigation functions. The changelog hints at the future, indicating "implemented graphics quality settings segmentation to support lower-end mobile devices." While details on the mobile release are yet to be clarified, it suggests The Sandbox is gearing up for a mobile launch in 2024, possibly outside traditional app stores.

Other recent news from The Sandbox includes the addition of a Notorious B.I.G. experience in The Sandbox metaverse, thanks to a collaboration between the game, the late rapper’s label Warner Music Group, and his estate. This Brooklyn, New York-inspired area, named "Breakin' B.I.G.," pays tribute to Christopher Wallace, known as Notorious B.I.G., who rose to fame in the 1990s before his untimely demise in 1997. Players can meet the rapper's non-playable avatar likeness in a "2D, arcade-style world" and engage in various quests, including helping the virtual Brooklyn community and confronting B.I.G.'s rivals in The Sandbox. Elliot Osagie, Chief Strategy Officer of Notorious B.I.G. Estate, emphasized the significance of bringing Biggie's 90s style to an innovative web3 platform, ensuring it resonates with both existing and new fans.

Accompanying the B.I.G. Sandbox experience is the release of a new NFT avatar collection and an update to Warner Music Group's social hub. Sébastien Borget, COO & Co-Founder of The Sandbox expressed excitement about players being able to "explore a rich Brooklyn environment with an arcade-inspired feel." The inclusion of Notorious B.I.G.'s likeness adds to the game's roster of celebrity collaborations, featuring the likes of Elvis Presley, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Deadmau5, Gordon Ramsey, and Steve Aoki. The Sandbox has also launched collaborations with major brands spanning from FaZe Clan to McDonald's, 

The FaZe Clan announcement broke shortly after Paris Hilton‘s unique avatars and Malibu Mansion, then revealed Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen adaptation, the first culinary experience in the game. This is incredibly significant in bringing traditional gaming and media attention to The Sandbox Game and web3 gaming in general considering the enormous combined following of the organizations' creators standing at over 500 million across multiple platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch.

Warner Music Group continues its foray into web3, planning branded character skins with Ready Player Me and collaborating with Polygon Labs to launch a blockchain music accelerator. As The Sandbox continues its dynamic evolution, the recent update and Notorious B.I.G. experience exemplify its commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive web3 gaming, offering both nostalgia and fresh experiences for its diverse player base.