How To Start Worldbuilding

World Building Concepts and Goals

Introduction to World Building

• The video introduces the process of world building, emphasizing the importance of establishing concepts and goals before starting.

• Matthew, the presenter, outlines that this is the first in a series focused on creating a fictional world for novels or tabletop role-playing games.

• The discussion will cover foundational elements necessary for effective world building.

Setting Goals for World Building

• Key questions are posed regarding the nature of the fictional world: Is it fantasy or sci-fi? How similar is it to Earth?

• Establishing these parameters helps guide subsequent decisions in the world-building process.

Defining Concepts in World Building

• A concept is defined as the core idea that shapes everything created within a fictional world.

• General concepts allow creative freedom, while specific concepts provide constraints that can help focus development.

Layering Concepts for Clarity

• To avoid paralysis by choice with general concepts, layering multiple ideas can create a clearer vision.

• Example layered concepts include romance between friends, an off-world human colony, cool swords, speculative evolution, and a catastrophic natural disaster.

Developing an Interesting World

• The example illustrates how combining various concepts leads to a more engaging narrative about two friends in a space-faring civilization facing disaster.

• Matthew shares his personal goals for this series: creating an Earth-like fantasy world rich with mythology and diverse intelligent creatures.

Importance of Relatable Elements

• Emphasizing relatability is crucial; worlds should have recognizable elements to connect with audiences effectively.

• Using anthropomorphized characters (like elves or dwarves), enhances emotional connection compared to non-human entities.

World Building in Fantasy: Key Concepts

The Importance of Human Connection

• Emphasizes the need for creating relatable species and earth-like worlds to foster meaningful connections with audiences.

Exploring Fantasy Elements

• Defines fantasy as a genre that explores improbable concepts, often inspired by mythology and folklore, aiming to create unique worlds rather than mere replicas of Earth.

Incorporating Mythology

• Highlights the intention to include recognizable mythological creatures, blending familiar elements with fantasy. Classic favorites like zombies and dragons will be featured alongside lesser-known Australian folklore.

Science-Based World Building

• Stresses the importance of grounding world-building in scientific principles, from planetary physics to speculative evolution and cultural sociology. This approach aims to make fictional worlds more believable.

Balancing Fiction with Reality

• Acknowledges that while deviations from reality are inevitable in fiction, efforts will be made to ensure scientific accuracy where possible, enhancing the overall narrative experience.

Evolution of Intelligent Societies

• Plans for developing various creatures that evolve intelligence over time, exploring their journey through different societal stages from primitive beginnings to advanced civilizations.

Recap and Future Directions