# Worldbuilding

## World-First Worldbuilding

This method tends to have strong visual elements.

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{% tab title="About" %}

### Getting Started

#### What makes the world tick? What are the rules of the world?

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Start with a town, country, or planet and theme it up</td></tr><tr><td>Bullet-point a history</td></tr><tr><td>What are its people like? What are their battles and struggles?</td></tr><tr><td>Great stories can be born from <em>contradictions</em> in the world’s rules</td></tr></tbody></table>
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{% tab title="Concept Art" %}
Below are a few pieces of concept art from various sources.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/UvNp9IoG5fCFm4NpeU3U/narrative%20world%20first%20worldbuilding%201.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/hlDbmKg8Yze9Chumw7fX/narrative%20world%20first%20worldbuilding%202.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/jmOUGqD6ZjX8qGq7nmFs/narrative%20world%20first%20worldbuilding%203.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% tab title="Examples in The Sandbox" %}
In [**Alpha Season 1**](https://app.gitbook.com/s/61fllYo416R30LRxku4v/players/seasons-and-events/alpha-season-1), The Sandbox introduced three factions that are great examples of world-first worldbuilding. Biomes define colour palettes, energy sources, houses, and people who live there.

### Heroes Faction

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2FJE8QXRKhzKN83JUi6cJX%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=20bdc64b-8336-49da-8cb7-97e36231bba2" alt=""><br><strong>Concept Art</strong><br></td></tr><tr><td><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2FGf24lDPFHQnfodwxXDeQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=40e08661-2b58-4124-ad77-61d045f5d726" alt="" data-size="original"> <strong>Colours</strong><br><br><strong>Biome</strong><br>Frozen trees, wild grass, pieces of snow<br><br><strong>Energy Sources</strong><br>Basic mechanics, using Nature’s strengths<br><br><strong>Houses</strong><br>Nordic / medieval houses made of wood and metal</td></tr><tr><td><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/MMtx0mx3IUX0DpzJ06yh/heroes%20faction%20art.png" alt="" data-size="original"><br><br><strong>People</strong><br>Fierce people from the North who crave challenge to reveal themselves as valorous</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Scientists Faction

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2FMpCCY40FzSTGmpWxY0l3%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=81d90e15-4403-4605-a106-6c188a47bc71" alt=""><br><strong>Concept Art</strong></td></tr><tr><td><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2Fl96Ve0WlfR7EuKCIX950%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a5054e75-1090-4735-b4b4-c270261d15b6" alt="" data-size="original"> <strong>Colours</strong><br><br><strong>Biome</strong><br>Desert, sand<br><br><strong>Energy Sources</strong><br>Energy from wind and petrol machines<br><br><strong>Houses</strong><br>Oriental houses with metallic elements</td></tr><tr><td><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/X9uYcexImzhOBBO44xpn/scientists%20faction%20art.png" alt="" data-size="original"><br><br><strong>People</strong><br>Scavenger tribes of technologically greedy researchers drawn to solving mysteries</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Oracles Faction

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/yiiT4p3pCFOODHX2TGpW/oracles%20concept%20art.png" alt=""><br><strong>Concept Art</strong></td></tr><tr><td><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2F51vBZB6kPH3TAKtJSQIm%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dd20d283-2eac-4f75-a659-6c777dbc8fce" alt="" data-size="original"> <strong>Colours</strong><br><br><strong>Biome</strong><br>Forest, nature, ruins, rocks<br><br><strong>Energy Sources</strong><br>Magic and creature taming, fireflies<br><br><strong>Houses</strong><br>Ruins and old temples made of rocks and plants</td></tr><tr><td><p><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/7oJOwz77jIZsI5uUwUSz/oracles%20faction%20art.png" alt="" data-size="original"><br></p><p><strong>People</strong><br>Spiritual people living in symbiosis with nature who will go to any length to defend it</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
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## Character-First Worldbuilding

This method has a small number of strongly developed characters.

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### Getting Started

#### Begin with the main character and expand to other characters in *their* world

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>What is their identity? What do they want?</td></tr><tr><td>Fill in the world around them</td></tr><tr><td>What environment and culture needs to be built to support them and who they are?</td></tr><tr><td>Fellow-heroes? Rivals? Villains?</td></tr></tbody></table>
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{% tab title="Concept Art" %}
Below are a few pieces of concept art from various sources.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/4DIq5MVpaXErYlOF5UUy/narrative%20character%20first%20worldbuilding%20concept%201.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/IpvE74lYfyIq6l5mMMPF/narrative%20character%20first%20worldbuilding%20concept%202.png" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/Y4on9OupnHcOqs77VIwR/narrative%20character%20first%20worldbuilding%20concept%203.png" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Click to enlarge</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% tab title="Examples in The Sandbox" %}

### "Professor Stitch"

Crevasse Studios has won or placed in the top 4 in multiple game jams. In this first place winning entry, “[Professor Stitch](https://youtu.be/S8N2hTRNh2E)” is a mad scientist who plots revenge against the local town's ungrateful inhabitants who have benefitted from his brilliant inventions.

Along with its delightfully irreverent humour from a strong lead character, the game's logic was also polished and clever.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/S8N2hTRNh2E>" %}

Read the [**Creators' Interview**](https://medium.com/sandbox-game/from-building-mini-games-to-winning-big-prizes-creators-interview-14-crevasse-studios-d22dc9d68cb3) to learn more about "Professor Stitch" and other projects from Crevasse Studios.

<figure><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9g9X8trqNqvPGu3iXKp0MRzxhp4b8XJy7AiXctWidK7M9fw_aKNAlYrNYfj8idMOIxgbpmM1yv9VvXxIy9WfShcPVm4ZMc722D_G60Qe8mk7LmTEdqsGEJaYI3GwDUwi129YZC8iHMF30cLn0ZMWwrD3=s2048" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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## Concept-First Worldbuilding

This method may be strongly reliant upon gameplay logic.

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{% tab title="About" %}

### Getting Started

#### Begin with how your world must function

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Focus on a narrative element or specific mechanics, or focus on game logic</td></tr><tr><td><p>Ask “what if” to brainstorm, let wild ideas flow</p><ul><li>What if everyone is a superhero?</li><li>What if the player is on a moving train?</li><li>What if the player knows the future?</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>
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{% tab title="Example Concepts" %}

### Examples

*My Hero Academia* - it's abnormal in this world to **NOT** have super powers

*One Punch Man* - the main character can knock out anyone with a single punch

*Omniscient Reader* - the main character is the only reader of a dark apocalyptic web novel that becomes a reality, with scenarios and skill leveling like a video game

![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/43BuMkdFqbHxGgkOOeLs0oVVU4TbGyOfZjWJsR4vb-tuPeOtteNGq6ivO7wUoUZW6hzJQervWikqrVt5uPghzSARqdbzM7SFlMGj7RbVRDZmMlZ5kojvXlg6_76KP-za53dCh7wqfIW1QNjXg27NS86I=s2048)![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NhppBHWoyg8pMPDtBWjLEGEl768Kv2B61czyUmQELe0SjYr3umdvxCyM49NColpfle4av5666rHN-tS_X1gqgMkGMmpRMqnJ_KqEttclrr_nOMOhbjb5phhEZNyv41kw3DDH066T6s2t5B_68Ryjd6eH=s2048)![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kq9VY3ovrP4cre6DecrvHF1PNBWvcdRl_AU5bKoqTgC0Y_rXgyzQfxRt9TjZ4CgOLILZAqQjvIi_qhsxNT6jmfoAP_zL6aqt4rYG_j06Tv4OESPIL0FTX8vT_y1_QQA-N_g7PLLG4-8aJ_o3Ig-rxbMx=s2048)
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{% tab title="Examples in The Sandbox" %}

### "Space Hero"

Multi award winning creators [Sho](https://twitter.com/Sho1991Sandbox), [Tokinari](https://twitter.com/TwinwinT23), and [Senm](https://twitter.com/voxel_senm) made the winning entry for the Gamee game jam. “[Space Hero](https://twitter.com/Sho1991Sandbox/status/1528283713779671041?s=20\&t=rOCGJAUSFLO0_dG9_mTQyw)” is an innovative top down game where the player stands on top of a spaceship to shoot at a variety of enemy ships and collect helpful items for health, defense, and offense.&#x20;

The game simulated light speed travel through space with a combination of a fixed camera, a stationary object as the player's center of gameplay, and moving platform behaviour on the scenery, including light streaks, stars, planets, and more.&#x20;

With basic movement buttons and pressing E to interact, the gameplay fits the casual genre well, but it feels like there is a lot more depth due to the attention to visual details and the agency the player has to impact the outcome even with a small range of motion.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/F-hYA1lecFA>" %}

### "Train of the Dead"

This top 3 winner in The Walking Dead game jam used a similar concept of using a stationary object as the center of gameplay and creating a sense of motion with platform behaviour applied to all of the scenery. However, "[Train of the Dead](https://youtu.be/5cCCUNXEwxI)" included added pressure that made the gameplay quite thrilling.

Creator \_Nickk pushed players to get to the end of the train before it's too late, all while fighting off zombies while evading obstacles, making difficult jumps, and using objects to make progress forward. It's a challenging game that adds a layer of complexity through action and a sense of urgency.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/5cCCUNXEwxI>" %}

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## Big Picture: Metaverse Worldbuilding

This method requires communication with your community about when the next "chapter" of your story will be released. You can tell linear or branching stories and include hubs or other types of Experiences that are not directly in line with the story, but match the theme and refer to your lore, ethos, etc.

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{% tab title="About" %}

### Tell Stories Across LANDs and Time

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Simple worlds can have high replay value, complex universes can foster exploration and community</td></tr><tr><td>Supplement your Metaverse worlds with comics, videos, movies, books, livestream events, and more</td></tr><tr><td>Team up with your Metaverse neighbors</td></tr><tr><td>A slice in time that can evolve and be many things</td></tr><tr><td>Empower players with opportunities to share their own story with others about playing in your worlds as themselves or as the protagonists you create</td></tr></tbody></table>
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{% tab title="Transform Storytelling" %}

### Transforming Storytelling Through the Metaverse

#### Combine, mash, and grow

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>People will want to play stories before LANDs are updated (see example)</td></tr><tr><td>The more LANDs you connect to your story and world, the larger its reach becomes</td></tr><tr><td>Videos may be created to document the living history of Metaverse worlds that evolve over time</td></tr><tr><td>People may purchase assets you mint and expand your universe with their own take on your stories in Game Maker, or they can join your team in developing your vision further</td></tr></tbody></table>
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{% tab title="Example" %}
Here is an example of how you can use multiple LANDs to tell a story over time.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn/blobs/NjGpi11XDzXFEGBe4AHx/narrative%20metaverse%20worldbuilding.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Multi-week, multi-LAND metaverse worldbuilding example</p></figcaption></figure>
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## Worldbuilding Workshop

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/an_CwMWbTSU>" %}


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