WorldAnvil / Campfire / General Worldbuilding Software Thread - I only know about those two but I'm sure there are more

[Anonitolia]

I couldn't find a thread on these so I might as well make one. What're your general thoughts on/experiences with this kind of stuff?

For reference, both Campfire and WorldAnvil are specialized writing tools with a bunch of features meant to help authors keep things consistent when worldbuilding and writing. I know of them mostly from YouTube sponsorships, which has always been a red flag to me (and so I've always avoided them), but both pieces of software have always looked somewhat interesting despite the black mark of YouTube shilling and apparently some people actually use them to decent effect.

I know Campfire's pretty scummy (promised they'd support Campfire Pro forever, then dropped it for Blaze, then dropped Blaze for some shitty online subscription thing), but I've heard neutral to good things about WorldAnvil and it's still chugging along just fine, so maybe it's not all bad.

Regardless of my rambling, I'm curious as to whether any Kiwis actually use this stuff and what they think of it. Also, if there are any options BESIDES these two out there because, if there are, I never hear of them.

 

[Red flaming panda]

Document apps > Worldbuilding Software
'nuff said

 

[didelphigina]

I prefer using Obsidian for my worldbuilding stuff. Can organize things better there and no need of paying ludicrous subscriptions. Couldn't handle using the site for five minutes (WorldAnvil, that is). Just wasn't for me. It's probably really good and whatnot. Also, as you what you said, I don't trust (or further don't trust) any websites, products or apps that are shilled by YouTubers left and right. Can't remember any sponsors I looked and checked out was actually interesting and wasn't bombarded with subscriptions and paywalls.

 

[Android 18]

I used World Anvil briefly when I was younger. It's fine (though that opinion is like 8 years old at this point, so might be outdated). It has nice groundwork if you explicitly make fantasy or something with ttrpg elements.

Now I actually prefer Obsidian. I have full control over how I organize things and files and it all works offline on my machine. There also are a bunch of plug-ins created by community members which is nice if you need anything "extra".

So yeah, seconding @didelphigina 's opinion on Obsidian.

 

[Ewan McGregor]

I considered subscribing but there's something about them that makes me not trust them

 

[PandaChai]

Obsidian

Obsidian

Is there anyway to open an Obsidian project to collaborators - and also to make wiki-style links to other pages? I'm part of a big worldbuilding game and don't particularly want to do a second data entry job when I finish work.
I suppose I could just share the login details, but I worry it would throw a hissy fit if two or more people are signed in at the same time.

 

[Android 18]

Is there anyway to open an Obsidian project to collaborators

Yes, but you have to pay for it. If you wanna sync your stuff on multiple devices (or have others able to access it) you gotta fork over 4 bucks a month

wiki-style links to other pages

What exactly do you mean? You can create links to all your other notes in a project/vault, to online websites, and also between different projects.

 

[PandaChai]

wiki-style links to other pages

What exactly do you mean?

The kind where you can just slap braces around a word.
"The capital of the [Dwarves], [Diggy Hole], fell in the [fifth age]" and it automagically links to Dwarves (disambiguation), Diggy Hole, and Fifth Age (page does not exist).

 

[Android 18]

Oh yeah, of course, that's basically the whole gimmick of Obsidian and the main reason I use it. You can even link from one page to a specific sub-section of another page.

It's very handy and there is even a graph where you can see all the pages and how they are linked together (Pic below is one of my Vaults as example)

 

[Jason Wynn]

I prefer using Obsidian for my worldbuilding stuff. Can organize things better there and no need of paying ludicrous subscriptions. Couldn't handle using the site for five minutes (WorldAnvil, that is). Just wasn't for me. It's probably really good and whatnot. Also, as you what you said, I don't trust (or further don't trust) any websites, products or apps that are shilled by YouTubers left and right. Can't remember any sponsors I looked and checked out was actually interesting and wasn't bombarded with subscriptions and paywalls.

This. Obsidian has the best layout I think for cataloging your lore. It presents itself similar to a wiki so very easy and intuitive to use. Has a free version that works well enough, and the premium version doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I use it for my homebrew D&D campaign and it’s served me well for years.

 

[Sargon's wife's son]

Oh yeah, of course, that's basically the whole gimmick of Obsidian and the main reason I use it. You can even link from one page to a specific sub-section of another page.

It's very handy and there is even a graph where you can see all the pages and how they are linked together (Pic below is one of my Vaults as example)

based in flow chart pilled that's how I set up all of my adventures then again my notes look like a crack addict wrote them