What is a shared universe in fiction?

A shared universe is a fictional setting where multiple writers or artists independently contribute works that stand alone while fitting into a joint storyline or world. It differs from collaborative writing on a single work and from simple character crossovers. This concept is particularly common in science fiction and comic book franchises.

What we know

• A shared universe is a fictional universe where one or more creators independently contribute works that can stand alone while fitting into a joint storyline, character set, or world. [1, 2]
• A shared universe differs from collaborative writing, where multiple creators work together on the exact same piece, and from crossovers, where otherwise independent works meet just once. [2]
• Comics publishers use shared universes to create an overall milieu where characters, events, and premises from one product line appear in other product lines across a media franchise. [2]
• The concept of a shared universe is notably common in genres like science fiction. [2]

Where to go next

• compared withHow does a shared universe differ from a character crossover?
• a case in pointWhat are some prominent examples of shared universes in film and television?
• how it workedHow do comic book publishers maintain continuity across a shared world?
• the bigger pictureWhat is official fiction canon?
• whenHow did the science fiction genre develop alongside media franchises?
• an unexpected connectionHow does shared fiction connect to interdisciplinary discourse?The term shared universe is also used beyond literature to convey interdisciplinary or social commonality in a shared universe of discourse.

Sources

• [1]shared universe (Wikidata Q3275581) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Shared universe · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]List of fictional shared universes in film and television · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Canon (fiction) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]History of science fiction · CC BY-SA 4.0