Explore: Threadbare
A Conversation with Heather Drolet
How first-time creators take their first step into an open-source game world
Threadbare is not just a game. It is a living, evolving world shaped by learners, educators, and global contributors. The first step into that world is Explore: Threadbare, a playful, low-barrier experience where any learner can make a meaningful creative contribution to the Threadbare universe.
To understand why Explore matters and how it prepares learners for deeper game-making opportunities, we sat down with Heather Drolet, Director of Learning Experience at Endless Access. Heather brings more than a decade of experience building creative learning programs, piloting youth-centered pathways across classrooms and community spaces, and helping learners develop confidence through storytelling, digital creation, and open-source practices.
What Is Explore: Threadbare?
Explore introduces the lore, themes, and world of Threadbare — a universe where cultures and stories are unraveling and must be restored through imagination and contribution.
Heather explained:
“Explore is where learners are exposed to the world of Threadbare and contribute a simple asset.”
She also described the Explore programs more specifically:
“Explore programs like Explore Threadbear Art for example is a place where you're exposed to the world of Threadbare and then you can contribute an art asset.”
A learner’s first contribution might be:
- an illustrated item or object
- a creature or character design
- a tilemap or environmental element
- a short narrative idea
- a visual or symbolic piece that fits the lore
Even small contributions become part of a shared, global game world.
Why Start With Explore?
Explore is intentionally designed to build early creative confidence and introduce learners to authentic contribution before they enter more structured programs like Core: Threadbare.
1. Creativity is a top future-ready skill
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that creativity, originality, initiative, and problem-solving are among the most in-demand skills for the coming decade, driven by AI adoption and the digital economy.
Source.
2. Project-based creative learning increases engagement and retention
Research shows:
- 75 percent of students feel more engaged when they create content rather than simply consume it. Learn more here.
- Project-based learning increases retention by 25–30 percent across multiple subjects. Learn more here.
3. Game creation builds cross-disciplinary skills
Game-making engages the same skill clusters emphasized in modern workforce reports: design, systems thinking, digital literacy, collaboration, and creativity.
Game creation programs help learners develop:
- visual design skills
- computational thinking
- narrative design
- logic and iteration
- collaboration in digital environments
A Low-Barriers Experience for New Creators
Explore is intentionally built so that anyone, even those with no technical background, can make something meaningful.
Heather explained:
“It’s a place where you’re exposed to the world of Threadbare and then you can contribute an art asset. It’s a great first step.”
This makes Explore ideal for:
- learners age 13+
- after-school programs and clubs
- STEAM classrooms
- educators testing game-based learning before more advanced tools
- English and Spanish speakers with some English knowledge
- Completely free materials to be downloaded
No coding or engine knowledge is required. This makes it super accessible!
Partners and Impact
Across partner implementations, Explore has consistently:
- unlocked participation from students who don’t usually join STEM or coding programs
- increased confidence and creative self-identity
- strengthened collaboration and feedback-sharing
- inspired learners to continue into Core: Threadbare
These outcomes align with Heather’s insight that Explore — along with on-ramps — reduces overwhelm when learners transition to more technical tools.
Where Educators Fit In
Explore requires minimal preparation. Support is available through:
- The Educators’ Discord community
- Endless Access partner support for multi-site or larger implementations
- Online materials are free with detailed guidance
Explore as Preparation for What Comes Next
Explore sets learners up to move deeper into game creation through the Endless Access pathways.
1. Core: Threadbare
A structured, 18-session experience where learners build a full story quest using a professional game engine.
2. Skill On-Ramps
Heather explained:
“We are bulding on-ramps to make the transition easier. They help scaffold learners before they get to Core Threadbare.”
On-ramps include:
- Godot (GDEU)
- Game design
- Git and version control
Explore gives learners early wins, making technical learning more accessible and exciting later on.
Start Exploring
Explore is the perfect entry point into Endless Access’ game-making pathway.
Learners begin with imagination, create something real, and join a global community of contributors.
Visit the Explore: Threadbare page to get the full experience, download resources, and help your learners make their first contribution.
When they’re ready, the next step is Core: Threadbare, where creators bring full stories to life inside a professional game engine.
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