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Shared universe

A shared universe or shared world is a fictional universe from a set of creative works where one or more writers (or other artists) independently contribute works that can stand alone but fits into the joint development of the storyline, characters, or world of the overall project. It is common in genres like science fiction.[1] It differs from collaborative writing in which multiple artists are working together on the same work and from crossovers where the works and characters are independent except for a single meeting.

"Cinematic universe" redirects here. For the shared universe centered on superhero media based on characters from Marvel Comics, see Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The term shared universe is also used within comics to reflect the overall milieu created by the comic book publisher in which characters, events, and premises from one product line appear in other product lines in a media franchise. A specific kind of shared universe that is published across a variety of media (such as novels and films), each of them contributing to the growth, history, and status of the setting is called an "imaginary entertainment environment."[2]


The term has also been used in a wider, non-literary sense to convey interdisciplinary[3] or social commonality,[4] often in the context of a "shared universe of discourse".[5]

Originating in video games and the internet[edit]

The influence of the Internet on collaborative and interactive fiction has also resulted in a large number of amateur shared universe settings. Amateur authors have created shared universes by contributing to mailing lists, story archives and Usenet. One of the earliest of these settings, SFStory, saw its spin-off setting Superguy cited as illustrative of the potential of the Internet.[54] Another example is the furry-themed Tales from the Blind Pig created at the Transformation Story Archive with some limited publication.[55][56] Other early examples include the Dargon Project and Devilbunnies.[57]

Other media[edit]

The 2000 musical Seussical presented several works of Dr. Seuss as taking place in the same fictional world.


Hasbro toy products including G.I. Joe and Transformers are considered by their manufacturer to exist fictionally within the Hasbro Universe. Related shared universes include the Hasbro Comic Book Universe by IDW Publishing and the Energon Universe by Skybound Entertainment.


In the music industry, all kinds of works by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, such as her songs, albums, music videos, films, tours, promotional activities, as well as the narratives surrounding her, have been collectively referred to as a musical or cinematic universe by several journalists and media outlets.[58][59][60]

Expanded universe

Fictional crossover

Intercompany crossover

Fictional universe

List of science fiction universes

Literary cycle

Media franchise

Setting (narrative)

and sister show

Spin-off

. "Shared Worlds". The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works, and Wonders. Edited by Gary Westfahl. Advisory Board Richard Bleiler, John Clute, Fiona Kelleghan, David Langford, Andy Sawyer, and Darrell Schweitzer. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2005. ISBN 0-313-32950-8/ISBN 978-0-313-32950-0.

James Lowder