The appeal of worldbuilding is undeniable, but there's a hidden trap many creators fall into—spending so much time on the world itself that the story or game you're building it for gets lost. This phenomenon is known as "worldbuilder's disease."

World Anvil, an all-in-one worldbuilding platform, can help writers and game masters avoid falling into the trap of excessive worldbuilding. By providing tools and resources to keep the creative process organized and focused, World Anvil ensures that your worldbuilding is purposeful, productive, and fun.

What is Worldbuilder’s Disease?

Worldbuilder's disease is a term coined by creators to describe the tendency to become so consumed by the details of worldbuilding that it overshadows the actual story or gameplay. Symptoms include an obsession with irrelevant details, procrastination on the main plot of your novel or campaign, and ultimately, a project with no sense of real progress.

Why is Worldbuilder's Disease a problem?

It might seem odd that a worldbuilding software is warning writers and gamemasters about the dangers of… too much worldbuilding. Is there really such a thing? Well, like many things, it depends on your point of view. At World Anvil, we want to support sustainable worldbuilding. Because if you’re making good progress, you’ll stick with your project.

Worldbuilder's disease occurs when the excitement of creating a detailed universe becomes a never-ending “preparation” phase that keeps you from actually starting (or finishing) your novel or campaign. While it’s important to flesh out your world, getting lost in the minutiae can lead to a lack of progress in the actual narrative or gameplay, resulting in a project that stagnates.

What are the symptoms of Worldbuilder's Disease?

If any of these symptoms resonate with you, you might have Worldbuilder's Disease!

• Focus on Irrelevant Details: Spending excessive time on aspects of the world that have little to no impact on the story or game, such as the minutiae of an obscure culture or the history of a minor character.
• Neglecting Plot and Characters: Prioritizing worldbuilding over the development of the main narrative or the depth of characters, which can lead to a lackluster story.
• Project Paralysis: Feeling overwhelmed by the scope of the world you’ve created, which can result in burnout or abandoning the project altogether.

Falling victim to worldbuilder's disease can derail your creative project, leading to unfinished stories, incomplete games, and a loss of motivation. The more you focus on the world at the expense of the narrative, the harder it becomes to see the story through to completion.

How Can You Worldbuild With Purpose?

Worldbuilding with purpose—rather than meandering your way through your world—is the best way to avoid Worldbuilder's Disease. In general, make sure you prioritize what matters for your story and set clear boundaries on your project's scope. Here are some tips to do that!

Tip 1: Start with the Big Picture

Begin your worldbuilding journey by sketching out the broad strokes of your world. Focus on the hook or core concept of the setting, as well as key elements that will directly impact your story or campaign plot, or which support the themes you most want to explore. By establishing a strong foundation, you can add details as needed, rather than getting bogged down.

Tip 2: Prioritize Relevant Details

Not every detail of your world needs to be fleshed out. Focus on the elements that set up drama and conflict, or provide characters with backstory, or help to convey the uniqueness of the setting. For example, if your story centers on a political revolution, prioritize developing the factions, leaders, and motivations involved rather than the agricultural practices of distant lands.

Tip 3: Choose Depth over Width

Instead of trying to cover every aspect of your world with shallow descriptions, concentrate on developing a few key areas in depth. This approach not only saves time but also enriches your story or game by providing a deeper, more immersive experience for readers or players.

Tip 4: Set Boundaries

Establish limits on how much time you spend on worldbuilding versus writing or campaign planning. Setting boundaries helps keep the focus on progressing the main project rather than getting lost in endless worldbuilding.

Tip 5: Have Regular Reviews

Periodically review your worldbuilding efforts to ensure they are still aligned with your storytelling or game design goals (the World Anvil Meta is ideal for this!) This practice can help you stay on track and prevent you from veering too far off course.