Devices Tycoon offers a dedicated sandbox mode designed for players who want to build tech hardware without the financial friction of standard campaign mode. While the mode originally required meeting specific revenue milestones on PC, subsequent official patches have overhauled accessibility, starting funds, and company management controls.
This guide outlines how sandbox mode works across PC and mobile builds, what tools are included, and how recent game updates affect your sandbox playthrough.
How to Access Sandbox Mode
Accessing sandbox mode depends on the platform you are playing on and your current patch version:
- Steam (PC) Version 1.1 and Later: According to the official Update 1.1 announcement, Sandbox Mode is available from the start without any progression requirements.
- Steam (PC) Launch Version (Historical): At launch, sandbox mode was locked behind an achievement goal requiring the player to earn $100M in cash. Several launch players reported a bug where the tracking stalled (such as freezing at $96.2M despite earning further profits), preventing the mode from unlocking. The developer resolved this by removing the progression gate entirely in Update 1.1.
- Mobile Version (iOS & Android): In the mobile build, sandbox mode is unlocked as an in-app purchase. On the iOS App Store, it is listed under in-app purchases (for example, priced at 199,00 Kč in the Czech store listing). Once purchased, it is toggled on via the in-game Store menu tab.
Official Sandbox Mode Features and Capabilities
Official post-launch updates significantly changed what you can adjust inside sandbox mode compared to standard career play:
- Unlimited Money: In the First Post-Launch Update, the developer added unlimited money to sandbox mode on PC, letting you design hardware and purchase facilities without running into debt. On mobile, update 2.0.0 previously added the ability to specify the company's starting budget when launching sandbox mode.
- Editable Fan Count: Update 1.1 officially added the option to edit company fan totals directly in Sandbox Mode, helping adjust initial brand reception for your launches.
- Time Acceleration: Update 1.1 introduced a time acceleration setting to the game, addressing player feedback regarding the slow pacing of product creation and multi-year progression.
- All Core Editors Available: In sandbox mode, you can freely use the platform's standard suite of design tools. This includes editors for smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, headphones, TVs, processors (CPUs), graphics cards (GPUs), and custom operating systems.
Key Differences: Sandbox Mode vs. Career Play
| Feature | Career Mode | Sandbox Mode (Current PC Build) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Funds | Limited start-up capital chosen at setup | Unlimited money (added in First Post-Launch Update) |
| Unlock Gate | Available immediately | Available immediately (progression gate removed in v1.1) |
| Financial Risk | Players can face debt or bankruptcy | Freedom to experiment without financial limits |
| Fan Customization | Built gradually through device launches | Direct editing of company fans supported |
| Research Progression | Standard tech research progression | Standard research progression (instant unlock requested but not confirmed) |
Known Community Issues and Workarounds
During the early PC launch window, players reported specific bugs related to progression and system settings:
- Fullscreen Black Screen: Some players encountered a black screen when launching or running in fullscreen. The official developer workaround is to press
Alt+Tabtwice to restore the display, or switch to Windowed mode under Video Settings. Setting NVIDIA G-Sync to fullscreen-only or turning it off also resolves the conflict. - Saving Errors: While early players reported saving glitches and missing autosaves, the First Post-Launch Update introduced automated saving every 90 in-game days, and Update 1.1 added explicit save error codes to assist in diagnosing storage issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need $100 million to unlock sandbox mode in Devices Tycoon?
Not anymore on PC. Although the initial launch version required players to reach $100M in sales or cash to unlock it, the official Update 1.1 patch removed the restriction, making sandbox mode accessible right from the start.
Does Devices Tycoon sandbox mode have unlimited money?
Yes. On PC, the developer introduced unlimited money in the First Post-Launch Update to allow unrestricted product experimentation. On mobile, Update 2.0.0 allowed players to set a custom starting budget for their company.
Can you instantly research all technology in sandbox mode?
There is currently no official confirmation of an instant research button in the game's official update logs. Players on the Steam community forums have requested an option to instantly research components rather than manually progressing through research trees, but as of Update 1.1, research still uses the standard game interface.
