https://kids.guinnessworldrecords.com en

First "creative" open-world videogame

First
Who
LEGO® Creator
What
First
Where
Not Applicable
When
1998

Pre-dating Minecraft (Mojang, 2009) and LEGO® Worlds (Warner Bros., 2015) by 11 and 17 years respectively, LEGO® Creator (LEGO® Media, 1998) was a sandbox (open-world) videogame for the PC in which players could build models using virtual LEGO® bricks. The gameplay was devoid of specific challenges or missions, and was succeeded by two sequels – LEGO® Creator: Knight's Kingdom (LEGO Media, 2000) and the LEGO® Creator: Harry Potter series (EA, 2001).

LEGO® Creator was published by LEGO® Media and is referred to as a "construction simulation" game on its Wiki page.