How Real-World Environments Influence Homestuck-Style Worldbuilding
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 8:40 am
One thing that has always stood out to me in Homestuck is how environments shape the tone of each land—endless deserts, shifting dunes, heat mirages, abandoned structures, and wide-open spaces that feel both surreal and symbolic. It made me wonder how much real-world landscapes influence the way we imagine Sburb worlds.
Recently, I was looking at references from actual desert terrains—especially the massive dune fields around Dubai—and it struck me how similar they feel to some of the Lands in Homestuck: isolation, scale, repetition, and that strange mix of danger and adventure. If anyone wants to see what these kinds of landscapes look like in reality, here’s a good visual reference:
https://thedunebashingdubai.com/
So I wanted to start a discussion:
Do you think real environments (deserts, glaciers, forests, oceans) influenced the creation of the Lands in Homestuck?
If you were designing your own Sburb land, would you base it on a real location or something abstract?
What real-world environments feel the most “Homestuck” to you and why?
How much does terrain impact the vibe and narrative of a world in fan adventures?
Would love to hear how others approach worldbuilding, especially if you’ve created fan lands or drawn inspiration from strange or beautiful real places.
Recently, I was looking at references from actual desert terrains—especially the massive dune fields around Dubai—and it struck me how similar they feel to some of the Lands in Homestuck: isolation, scale, repetition, and that strange mix of danger and adventure. If anyone wants to see what these kinds of landscapes look like in reality, here’s a good visual reference:
https://thedunebashingdubai.com/
So I wanted to start a discussion:
Do you think real environments (deserts, glaciers, forests, oceans) influenced the creation of the Lands in Homestuck?
If you were designing your own Sburb land, would you base it on a real location or something abstract?
What real-world environments feel the most “Homestuck” to you and why?
How much does terrain impact the vibe and narrative of a world in fan adventures?
Would love to hear how others approach worldbuilding, especially if you’ve created fan lands or drawn inspiration from strange or beautiful real places.