BUILD WORLDS THAT PLAYERS NEVER WANT TO LEAVE

Learn the proven system working game writers and narrative designers are using now, today, in their studios 

The Narrative Department Presents: World Building Workshop

Saturday, July 18th, from 2 - 5 pm CST

REGISTER NOW - $97

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

If you've ever wished you could visit Middle-Earth, or Narnia, or Fallout 76's Appalachia, then you know how irresistible a fictional world can be.

 

Now imagine building a brand-new world.

Game developers do it at work, every day. You can be a part of that adventure.

The catch? Most writers struggle with worldbuilding because they don't know where to start, or they get lost in endless details that never see the light of day.

What's missing? A systematic approach that creates worlds your players will love—worlds that actually serve your game (and help your team).

In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover the proven 3-pillar system used by professional game writers. You'll uncover the techniques games like Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Dishonored used to create unforgettable worlds. You'll learn how to build worlds that enhance gameplay—all without getting trapped in rabbit holes.

Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, you'll:


 ✅ Learn the 3 worldbuilding pillars that professionals use 
 âś… Discover how to co-create worlds with your team without scope creep
 âś… Avoid the 3 costly mistakes that kill worldbuilding projects
 âś… Walk away with professional tools and resources you can use immediately

You'll finish the workshop with practical techniques you can use right away on your own projects.

THE NARRATIVE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:

WORLD BUILDING WORKSHOP

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

 

Hour One: How to Build Worlds Around Your Player

  • What worldbuilding really is (hint: it's not just "setting")
  • The story stack: Why successful game worlds start with player fantasy, not story
  • How to use this framework to co-create with your team

Hour Two: The Three Pillars of Game World Building

  • Pillar #1: Values (making conflict visible in your world)
  • Pillar #2: Land/People/Technology (the building blocks of every society)
  • Pillar #3: Systems (how power works in your world)

Hour Three: Professional World Building Techniques

  • The 3 mistakes that kill worldbuilding projects (and how to avoid them)
  • Professional tools game writers use to track and develop worlds
  • Resources for continued learning

What You'll Experience:

  • Interactive breakout sessions to practice concepts with other participants
  • Real game examples analyzed using the 3-pillar framework
  • Hands-on exercises that help you apply ideas immediately
  • Small group discussions to deepen your understanding
  • Live Q&A with Susan to get your specific questions answered
RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Elly C, Game Writer

"I found the mistakes to avoid particularly compelling. Now I know!
I'm specifically excited to worldbuild now."

WHAT'S INCLUDED

 

🎯 3 hours of expert-led, hands-on learning
 🎯 Breakdowns of real game examples (Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, Dishonored, and more)
 🎯 Interactive exercises to help you apply key concepts in real time
 🎯 Access to workshop materials after the session
 🎯 Complete workshop recording - full replay access forever
 🎯 Resource guide with recommended tools, books, and resources for continued learning

Learn clearly, apply immediately

""Story stack is gold. It's taught by someone who actually wrote AAA games — that means I can trust her." — Working game writer

Perfect balance of learning and doing

"The 3 pillars of worldbuilding — it's great to have that focus when it comes to creating in-game worlds. It's helped me clarify my approach and pinpoint the key elements to focus on." - Workshop attendee, professional development

Think deeper, apply faster

"As an entry-level writer, this workshop was super helpful in wrapping my head around things and will help me spot mistakes before I make them." - Workshop attendee

WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH 

 

  • A complete worldbuilding toolkit you can use throughout your career
  • The 3-pillar framework for creating compelling, game-ready worlds
  • Professional resources and tools used by working game writers
  • Workshop recording with full replay access - forever

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

SUSAN O'CONNOR

Susan O’Connor is a best-selling, award-winning game writer. An industry veteran who has shipped over 25 games, including the original BioShock and the Far Cry and Tomb Raider franchises, she’s helped shape some of the most engaging narratives in gaming. She is the Founder & CEO of The Narrative Department, an online school dedicated to helping writers fast-track their game-writing careers.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 

  • Writers who want to break into game narrative.
  • Game developers looking to improve their storytelling skills.
  • Narrative designers who want to expand their toolbox.
  • Anyone fascinated by interactive storytelling. 

WORKSHOP DETAILS 

  • đź“… Date: Saturday, July 18th

  • ⏰ Time: 2 - 5 pm Central Standard Time (3 hours)

  • đź“Ť Location: Zoom

  • đź’° Investment: $97

 
RESERVE YOUR SPOT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RESERVE YOUR SPOT - $97

"YES to this workshop. The importance of understanding these foundations is imperative. Player drives! Effects of balance and imbalance! Yassss"

- Workshop attendee (no names, because I don't ask for names!)