Worldbuilding Tool

The Package said:

I don't know if any of you will use it, but I decided to share since I thought it was pretty cool.

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Oooh! Thanks for the links!

The Package said:

I don't know if any of you will use it, but I decided to share since I thought it was pretty cool.

Click to expand...

The software is pretty good, but the results are only as good as the presets. And those are a little iffy. (Same number of barbers and jewelers? Really?)

Lhun said:

The software is pretty good, but the results are only as good as the presets. And those are a little iffy. (Same number of barbers and jewelers? Really?)

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4 noble households in a tiny village? Presets are definitely wonky. Nice software, though, as Lhun said.

Also it's medieval-based agricultural and only European. (In a Christian setting) No leeway for other religions, the influx of people, etc. Kind of limiting. Plus it doesn't explain how those numbers were generated (i.e. on what it bases those facts).

Rachel Udin said:

Also it's medieval-based agricultural and only European. (In a Christian setting) No leeway for other religions, the influx of people, etc. Kind of limiting. Plus it doesn't explain how those numbers were generated (i.e. on what it bases those facts).

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The site never claims to be world-wide. It specifically says it's for medieval european-like kingdoms.

The Package said:

I believe on the main page (link 1) it has a chart type thing that explains how it decides the number of barbers or whatever. I may be misunderstanding you though.

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The source is kind of lacking... it should be using more scientific formulas for population growth, and also should be looking at the cultural geography rather than purely historical examples. Wider fields that actually study population growth and distribution directly make for better source material. (There is a division of cultural geography that deals directly with cities and city growth.)

There are no sources for how those numbers were arrived at nor which source has what numbers. (Original essay is deeply flawed). The formulas look made up from thin air...

As programmers say, garbage in, garbage out.

Liosse de Velishaf said:

The site never claims to be world-wide. It specifically says it's for medieval european-like kingdoms.

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Actually it reads "Medieval" and the example also says "Medieval" Which makes the person who wrote "Medieval Demographics: Numbers for a Fantasy world," Eurocentric. Also probably a Christian... since they didn't account for anything besides Christians. And the person who made the calculator likewise put as a title "Medieval Kingdom Generator". I think the Eurocentric label is fair in this case for both the essayist and programmer.

Hi Package,

I must confess that during my countless hours of world building, I never actually gave much thought to demographics. Hmm... I wonder what that says about my methodology?

Also, there are also professions listed by that tool which I had never considered, and one that I am baffled by. What exactly is a professional "bather?"

In any case this tool may prove helpful in fleshing out some worlds. Thank you for sharing it with us.