Fictional universe

A fictional universe is a cohesive imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for one or (more commonly) multiple works of fiction. Fictional universes are most common in, but not exclusive to, the science fiction and fantasy genres. Many universes written in one or both of these genres feature physical and metaphysical laws different from our own that allow for magical, psychic and various other types of paranormal phenomena. Although these laws may not be completely internally consistent, they do allow the author to provide some textual explanation for how their imagined world differs from our own.

Related concepts

• Imaginary world
• Index of fictional places
• Alternate history
• Fantasy world
• Fictional city
• Fictional country
• Constructed world
• Future history
• Mythical place
• Planets in science fiction
• Virtual reality