In storytelling, worldbuilding starts with the big picture—the grand setting that shapes your narrative. But a world truly comes to life in its details: the people, places, objects, and names that give it depth and texture.
Details Matter
I learned this firsthand when staging a children’s play set in a theme park. We had the major elements in place: grand set pieces, animated backdrops showcasing the park’s “lands,” and elaborate costumes for the characters. We even cast extras to play park attendees.
Yet, during rehearsal, something felt off. Watching the scene, I turned to the art director and said, “I feel like we have all theme and no park.”
The problem? We lacked the subtle details that make a theme park feel real. So, we added lamp posts, churro stands, trash cans, and benches. The animated backdrops gained roller coasters and water rides. The transformation was dramatic. In just a day, the setting became vibrant and alive, fully resonating with the story we wanted to tell.
It reminded me of a valuable lesson: worldbuilding works best when the details “ground” the big picture.
The World Is in the Details
Worldbuilding isn’t just about sweeping landscapes or elaborate lore. It’s about the deliberate, careful choice of small details that connect your story to its world. These details don’t just move one narrative forward—they create a foundation for many stories to come.
Take the Marvel Cinematic Universe, for example. Over the past fifteen years, Marvel has woven a rich tapestry of interconnected stories through small but impactful details:
- Corporations like Stark Industries and Roxxon Oil subtly influence plots.
- Places such as The Raft, a supervillain prison, and The Avengers Compound, even if only briefly mentioned, create continuity.
- Objects like the Infinity Stones become central to the overarching narrative.
- Recurring characters like Turk Barrett, a small-time criminal featured across multiple properties, add history and interconnectedness.
Through these details, Marvel creates a world that feels consistent and lived-in, making its stories immersive and compelling.
Great Examples of Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding is as old as storytelling itself, and some of the best examples come from classic literature:
- J.R.R. Tolkien: Middle-earth’s depth, with its unique species, languages, and histories, makes it feel like a real place that existed long before The Hobbit.
- Charles Dickens: Dickens’ detailed character work and vivid depictions of Victorian England bring his stories to life, with characters like Uriah Heep embodying their world’s ethos.
Finding Your Details
Every world starts with a big idea. Is it set in space? Beneath the ocean? In an alternate reality? Once you establish the concept, dive deep into the details.
- Backstory as a Foundation: Even if it’s not explicitly included in your story, a solid backstory can reveal the details that make your world rich. George Lucas’s Star Wars prequels, for instance, expanded the galaxy’s lore, providing context for the original trilogy.
- People, Places, Things, and Names: Who are the recurring characters? What locations hold significance? What objects or artifacts add meaning? Even the names you choose can reflect the culture and history of your setting.
Worldbuilding in Parable Stone
In Parable Stone, creating the world involves history, lore, character development, and more. Collaboration between narrative, art, and game design ensures the world feels cohesive and alive. Some key questions we’re asking include:
- What caused Luxombra’s fall into Noctilume, and how is that history remembered or suppressed?
- What are the rules governing darkness and light, and how do they affect characters and environments?
- How does the setting of each level reflect Emberon’s personal growth or spiritual challenges?
Build Worlds That Resonate
Worldbuilding transforms a good story into a great one. By grounding imaginative ideas in the fine details of people, places, objects, and names, you create a world that feels real and vibrant. These details don’t just fill gaps—they invite your audience to explore, imagine, and invest in the story you’ve created.
Dream big, but don’t forget the details. They’re what make your world come alive.