Facepunch Studios has announced that S&box, the much-anticipated follow-up to the legendary Garry's Mod, is set to arrive on Steam on April 28. This revelation, coming two decades after the original's groundbreaking debut, was subtly shared through an update on the game's Steam page, rather than a grand unveiling.
While the April 28 launch date refines previous expectations of a general April release, a more significant development emerged last week. Facepunch disclosed a licensing agreement with Valve, which will enable S&box creators to develop games, export them, and release them as independent titles on Steam without incurring any fees from Facepunch. Although some operational details, like the specific licensing framework between Facepunch and game shippers, still require finalization, securing Valve's approval was a pivotal achievement. This collaboration is expected to foster a new wave of Source 2-powered games on the platform, even with S&box utilizing a modified version of the engine.
Garry Newman, the founder and CEO of Facepunch, explained his decision not to claim a share of the revenue generated by games developed using S&box. Citing his financial comfort and appreciation for the opportunities provided by his previous successes, Rust and Garry's Mod, Newman expressed a desire to empower other developers. He echoed Valve's philosophy of maximizing benefits for everyone involved, believing that such an approach ultimately enriches the entire ecosystem. Although a definitive price for S&box on Steam has not been officially declared, Newman suggested it would likely be in the range of $10 to $20, similar to Garry's Mod.
This initiative represents a significant step towards democratizing game development and fostering a vibrant community of creators. By removing financial barriers and providing powerful tools, Facepunch Studios is not just launching a new game, but cultivating an environment where innovation can flourish and the next generation of gaming experiences can emerge, reflecting a truly forward-thinking and generous spirit within the industry.
