Creating a fully fleshed-out world can often feel overwhelming. With so many elements to consider, from geography to cultures, it’s easy to get lost in the details. That’s where spotlighting comes in—a technique that allows creators to focus on key areas of their world, making it more manageable and impactful.
By strategically highlighting certain locations or elements, spotlighting not only speeds up progress but also enhances the overall depth of your setting.
What Is Spotlighting (And Why Do We Need It)?
Spotlighting is a worldbuilding technique where specific locations, elements, or aspects of a world are given special attention, while other areas remain less developed or are left in the background. This focused approach allows creators to emphasize the most important parts of their world, making them more vivid and memorable.
Spotlighting Speeds (Meaningful) Progress
By concentrating on a few key areas, spotlighting enables you to make significant progress in your worldbuilding, and that progress can help you stay motivated and inspired. This approach keeps your project moving forward and ensures that the time you spend worldbuilding directly contributes to the narrative or gameplay.
Spotlighting Avoids Overwhelm
When worldbuilding, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scope of creating an entire game or novel setting. Spotlighting helps to alleviate this by narrowing your focus to the most crucial parts of your world, making the task more manageable and less intimidating.
Spotlighting Creates an Illusion of Depth
A well-placed spotlight can give the impression that your world is more detailed and expansive than it actually is. By richly developing a few key areas, you create the illusion of a fully realized world, even if other areas remain underdeveloped or unexplored.
Examples Of Spotlights In Different Settings
Tatooine (Star Wars)
In Star Wars, Tatooine is a prime example of spotlighting. This desert planet is one of the most iconic locations in the franchise, serving as the backdrop for pivotal moments in the story. Despite the many other planets in the galaxy, Tatooine stands out because we’ve seen it up close and from many angles - whether it’s the Lars moisture farm, Mos Eisley cantina, the Jundland Wastes or Jabba’s palace. This makes the galaxy far, far away seem gritty, lived-in and present, without needing to explore every other planet in detail.
King’s Landing (Game of Thrones)
In Game of Thrones, King’s Landing serves as a crucial spotlight in the story. The city is the seat of power in Westeros and is depicted with intricate detail, from its sprawling Red Keep to the slums of Flea Bottom. By focusing on King’s Landing, the show creates a vivid picture of political intrigue and social disparity, making the setting feel alive and integral to the plot.
The Bronze (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Your setting doesn’t need to be an entire galaxy, or planet, to benefit from spotlighting. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, nearly all of the action takes place in a single city: Sunnydale, aka The Hellmouth. The Bronze is a key location that serves as a social hub for the characters. It’s a dark, crowded place full of loud music, teen hormones, and angst. This makes Sunnydale feel like the kind of suburban haven vampires would choose as a perfect hunting ground - if not for the Slayer.
How To Choose Good Locations To Spotlight
Does it contribute to your unique premise?
When selecting a location to spotlight, consider whether it contributes to the unique premise of your story or game. A good spotlight should reinforce the core elements that make your world distinct. For example, if your world is centered around a society living in harmony with nature, a spotlight on a sacred grove or a village in a tree canopy could emphasize this premise.
Does it fit your theme/tone?
The locations you spotlight should align with the overall theme or tone of your story. If your world has a dark, gritty atmosphere, spotlighting a gloomy, crime-ridden city can help reinforce that mood. Conversely, if your world is more whimsical or lighthearted, a spotlight on a bustling market filled with colorful characters might be more appropriate.
Does it support your chosen focus areas?
Think about the areas of your world that you want to emphasize in your story or game. Whether it’s political intrigue, magical mysteries, or cultural conflicts, your spotlight should support these focus areas. For example, if your story revolves around political drama, spotlighting a royal court or a council chamber can help highlight the power dynamics at play.
How To Make The Most Of A Spotlight
Dial It Up to 11 - Not the Place to Be Subtle
When spotlighting a location, don’t be afraid to go all out. This is your chance to make a particular part of your world truly stand out, so make it as detailed, vibrant, and engaging as possible. Whether it’s through rich descriptions, unique cultural elements, or dramatic events, ensure your spotlight location leaves a lasting impression.
Character Lens - It’s a Twofer!
One effective way to enhance a spotlight is to view it through the lens of your characters. How do they interact with this location? What do they think or feel about it? By tying the spotlight to character experiences, you not only deepen the setting but also develop your characters at the same time.
Contrast with a Different Spotlight
Creating contrast between different spotlights can add layers to your world. For example, if one location is a thriving metropolis, consider spotlighting a remote, desolate area as well. This contrast can highlight the diversity of your world and create a richer narrative.
Spotlighting in World Anvil
World Anvil’s Settlement template is a powerful tool for spotlighting locations in your world. It allows you to flesh out key details about a settlement, from its history and government to its notable features and inhabitants. By using this template, you can create detailed and immersive spotlights that bring your world to life.
Settlements Worldbuilding Prompts
World Anvil provides a variety of
worldbuilding prompts specifically designed to help you spotlight settlements effectively. These prompts guide you through the process of developing key aspects of your chosen location, ensuring that your spotlight is thorough and engaging.
Market Square Generator for a Large City
For those who need a quick and detailed spotlight on a bustling urban area, this
Market Square Generator is an invaluable tool. This feature allows you to generate a vibrant market scene with a few clicks, complete with vendors, goods, and events. It’s a great way to add depth to a city setting without getting bogged down in details.
Spotlighting is an essential technique in worldbuilding, helping creators focus their efforts on the most impactful areas of their world. By carefully selecting and developing key locations, you can create a rich, immersive setting without becoming overwhelmed.
World Anvil offers a suite of tools and resources that make spotlighting easier and more effective, allowing you to bring your world to life in a meaningful way. Ready to start spotlighting your world? Sign up for a free account on World Anvil and explore the tools that can help you create unforgettable settings.
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