Fictional deserts are often areas where sands and time have worn down structures from a long past age. Ancient temples or ancient tombs may be waiting to be explored. In addition, desert towns and cities that exist within deserts or on different sides may require trade routes to exist or to generate great wealth.

Deserts can be inhospitable places due to the lack of water. Because of this they may be located on borders, as conquering these lands can be difficult. It also may mean that towns, cities, and other inhabited regions may be clustered around whatever rivers, oases, subterranean aquifers or underground lakes that do exist in the area.

The people and cultures of the desert may adopt clothing fashions that use fabric to cover themselves from the sun while remaining light enough to avoid overheating. The architecture of the region may be sand or stone-based. Desert vehicles may feature filtration systems capable of removing sand and dust from critical systems. Fictional desert animals may have evolved attributes and behaviors to help keep them cool, such as ways of dissipating heat or being active at night when it is cooler.

Deserts often feature expansive sky regions and perhaps fictional constellations.