Fanbox

A fanbox is a piece of merch that comes with a game or other software Vortex Entertainment releases. It comes with other content made by the fans of Vortex Entertainment.

History
The idea of the fanbox came from a popular developer at Vortex Entertainment: Developer Goji, who suggested the idea in means of the fans, since the fans get nothing other than merchandise, the game, and the client. The idea was posted on the Vortex Entertainment website in 1998 and lots of fans contributed to the idea by sending a fanbox into Developer Goji's mail. When trailers were being released for game Zero Gravity, fans were becoming hyped. On the Vortex Forums, lots of pictures were being send in a thread labeled "Zero Gravity Fanbox", and when buying the whole game for for 55 dollars (which was the launch price at the time, even when buying the game, you still get the fanbox), a fanbox is delivered in a huge box consisting of smaller boxes.

What's Inside of a Fanbox?
Content varies between fanboxes, but most have to do with the game its coming with. When the idea of the Fanbox was posted, Developer Goji specifically stated he wanted "fan-made content." When the official fanbox was released for Zero Gravity, all things were either hand drawn or hand crafted. The idea was well made. Content like posters, soundtracks, fan art, and action figures would be included in a fanbox.

Reception
When the idea was first made, everybody seemed to like it. The thought of creating something by the fans and for the fans were a neat concept. The idea would eventually carry on into recent Vortex titles such as God of the Nexus, but other titles such as Combat Car would only come with a soundtrack. The idea didn't catch on that well, and an official blog post by Developer Goji was made stating that "the idea of fanboxes were a nice concept, really, I liked the idea overall but in all honesty I do not want to continue them anymore." In December 19th, 2014 made the last day fanboxes would exist. All fanboxes that were received by Vortex were eventually being sold at Fanbox Store.