macro vs micro

I have found another interesting thread on one of those boards, this time being about the differences of design approach.  Macro approach of game world design starts with the area map and begins to fill down with geography, countries, features, towns, encounter spots, etc.  Micro approach starts with the Inn where the adventurers start, goes up to the village, county, country, world, etc.  Macro is easier but Micro is more fun.  I think most worlds created for games need to be macro just so material is already prepared for the players to actually encounter.  But I do know that many, as I used to myself, start in Micro mode.  Ad Lib gaming immediately starts in Micro with you creating as you need it, as you encounter it, as it comes into your head.  I am no longer the free-form thinker I once was, no longer as creative as I used to be, no longer as inspired.

I once had a (at least personally) successful game start by tossing the main character into a snow drift naked only to be intimidated by two elves that matched her almost 7' height.  I added to the cold, frigid arctic border world as I needed it and it was one of the most memorable "worlds" I created in recent history.  It began to fall apart as I went to Macro and created too much else.  The cohesive feel of the world got lost as more details were added.

I believe, once a few ground breaking articles have been completed, I will choose an unmapped area of Mohr Vesik and do my original intent at Micro.  I will introduce my (low level commoner) cotter leaving a countryside farmstead and making his way to the nearest village.  What he sees, experiences and encounters will define the way this country works.