Top 5 World Building Software in 2023

World building is a crucial aspect of creating a compelling story or game . It involves creating a detailed and immersive world with its own unique history, geography, cultures, and characters. With the rise of technology, there are now many world building software available to help writers, game developers, and hobbyists bring their worlds to life. These software offer a range of features that make it easier to organize and visualize the various elements of a world, including maps, timelines, characters, and more. In this article, we will explore the top 5 world building software in 2023, their features, pros and cons, and examples of popular works created using them. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this guide will help you find the right software to create a rich and immersive world.

Top 5 World Building Software in 2023

1. World Anvil

World Anvil is a world building platform that allows creators to organize their world building notes, timelines, and characters all in one place. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started. World Anvil offers a wide range of features that can help you create a rich and detailed world, including:

• Wiki-style articles for characters, locations, and events.Interactive maps that allow you to explore your world and add annotations.
• Timelines that help you keep track of historical events and how they relate to each other.
• A customizable calendar that can be used to track seasons and festivals.
• A world builder’s encyclopedia that offers tips and advice on how to create a compelling world.

Pros of World Anvil:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Wide range of features that cover all aspects of world building.
• Community features that allow you to share your world with others and get feedback.
• Integrates with other software, such as Scrivener and Google Docs.
• Reasonable pricing plans.

Cons of World Anvil:

• Limited customization options for maps and timelines.
• Limited export options.
• Some features, such as the world builder’s encyclopedia, are only available on higher-priced plans.

Examples of popular works created with World Anvil:

• “The Broken Empire” by Mark Lawrence
• “The Unseen World” by A.C. Cobble
• “The Red Shawl” by Stephen Conway

2.Campfire Blaze

Campfire Blaze is another world building platform that offers a range of features to help creators build immersive worlds. The platform is designed to be flexible, allowing creators to tailor it to their specific needs. Campfire Blaze offers a range of features, including:

• Worldbuilding tools, such as a map editor and timeline editor.
• Story writing tools, such as a character builder and plot editor.
• Collaboration tools that allow creators to work together on a shared project.
• Export options that allow creators to easily share their work with others.

Pros of Campfire Blaze:

• Flexible and customizable interface.
• Collaboration features that allow creators to work together on a project.
• A range of export options that make it easy to share your work with others.
• Good customer support.

Cons of Campfire Blaze:

• Steep learning curve for some features.
• Limited customization options for maps and timelines.
• Limited community features.

Examples of popular works created with Campfire Blaze:

• “The Godforged Chronicles” by M. L. Spencer
• “The Ashen Levels” by C. M. Martens
• “Esteria Chronicles” by Michael Chatfield

3.Legend Keeper

Legend Keeper is a world building software that offers a range of features to help creators build detailed and immersive worlds. The platform is designed to be flexible and user-friendly, allowing creators to focus on their world building without getting bogged down by technical details. Legend Keeper offers a range of features, including:

• Worldbuilding tools, such as a map editor and timeline editor.
• A character builder that allows you to create detailed character profiles.
• A plot builder that helps you plan out your story.
• A customizable calendar that can be used to track important events and holidays.Export options that allow you to share your work with others.

Pros of Legend Keeper:

• User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
• Customizable character and plot builders that can help you create rich and complex stories.
• Good range of export options.
• Regular updates and bug fixes.

Cons of Legend Keeper:

• Limited community features.
• Limited customization options for maps and timelines.
• No mobile app.

Examples of popular works created with Legend Keeper:

“The Wandering Inn” by pirateaba
“The Way of the Shaman” by Vasily Mahanenko
“Ascend Online” by Luke Chmilenko

4.Aeon Timeline 3

Aeon Timeline 3 is a world building software that is designed specifically for creating timelines. The platform allows you to easily visualize historical events and how they relate to each other, making it a valuable tool for world building. Aeon Timeline 3 offers a range of features, including:

• Customizable timelines that allow you to visualize events in your world.
• Ability to link events to characters and locations.
• Ability to import data from other software, such as Scrivener.
• A range of export options.

Pros of Aeon Timeline 3:

• User-friendly interface that is easy to use.
• Customizable timelines that allow you to visualize events in your world.
• Ability to import data from other software, such as Scrivener.
• Good range of export options.

Cons of Aeon Timeline 3:

• Limited features beyond timeline creation.
• Limited community features.
• No mobile app.

Examples of popular works created with Aeon Timeline 3:

• “The Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan
• “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin
• “The Expanse” by James S. A. Corey

5.Scrivener

While not specifically designed for world building, Scrivener is a popular writing software that can be used for world building. The platform is designed to help writers organize their writing projects, making it a valuable tool for creating a detailed world. Scrivener offers a range of features, including:

• Ability to organize notes and research in one place.
• Customizable outline view that allows you to organize your story structure.
• Full-screen mode that allows you to focus on your writing without distractions.
• A range of export options.

Pros of Scrivener:

• User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
• Customizable outline view that allows you to organize your story structure.
• Good range of export options.
• Integrates with other software, such as World Anvil and Aeon Timeline 3.

Cons of Scrivener:

• Limited features specifically for world building.
• No mobile app.
• Some features, such as the corkboard view, can be overwhelming for beginners.

Examples of popular works created with Scrivener:

• “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
• “The Martian” by Andy Weir
• “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss

Conclusion

In conclusion, world building software has revolutionized the way writers and game developers create and organize their worlds. With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right software for your needs. The top 5 world building software in 2023 are World Anvil, Campfire Blaze, Legend Keeper, Aeon Timeline 3, and Scrivener. Each software offers unique features that cater to specific needs, such as customizable maps, timelines, and character builders. It’s essential to consider your specific requirements when selecting a world building software. Ultimately, the right software can help you create a rich and immersive world that captures the imaginations of your audience. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, the right software can help you bring your world to life.