Science Fiction Worlds
Science fiction worlds explore the intersection between new technologies and humanity, often exploring our place in future eras. Worlds of this genre are home to futuristic technologies, spaceships zipping between planets and wormholes. They are populated by fantastic creatures and alien races. Off-world mines may supply fictional materials to ringworlds or planet-wide cities, while megacorporations dictate policy to galactic governments on the brink of warfare. Science fiction worlds may be set within our near future and within our own solar system, or may take place in far futures and far off nebulas. Science fiction worlds challenge designers to imagine what may be found out within the cosmos.
| Example Mythonyms: Solar System X, Into the Far Horizon |
| Worlds |
Designing Science Fiction Worlds
Overview
At the heart of most science fiction settings is advanced technology. This can range from futuristic gadgets and weapons to entire societies built around technological advancements. The level of technology, as well as the world era, often dictates the overall tone and themes of the setting. Science fiction settings can be set in the past, present, or future, although most are set within future eras.
Certainly not all, but many science fiction worlds are either set entirely in space, or have space as a major component to them. If this is true for your world, knowing the terminology as well as common space elements will help you add detail to your world.
Other Worlds
Exploring new and distant planets is a reoccurring theme in the science fiction genre, and science fiction worlds tend to host a plethora of fantastic and interesting worlds. These planets may be single-biome worlds dominated by a near uniform biome [water planets; desert planets; ice planets], or they may be more Earth-like, with a more familiar breadth of regions and terrain.
Planets offer worldbuilders the opportunity not only to craft what may be a small speck on their galactic map, but also the chance to insert sublocations [off-world mines; alien ruins].
Inhabited planets may be home to the vast factions that control the galaxy [home worlds; planetary colonies]. They are also an opportunity to insert fictional creatures.
Space Travel
Whether it’s a single ship exploring the farthest reaches of the galaxy, or a fleet of them poised to defend a home world, spaceships can be central elements in science fiction worlds. Designing a spaceship requires a number of important elements.
Inhabitants
Strange Creatures
Strange and bizarre creatures are a staple of science fiction worlds. From monsters that devour humans, to colonies of fungi that won’t stop growing, to cute but fearsome pets, well designed creatures are critical for any world.
New Technologies
New technologies are a hallmark of science fiction worlds. From personal communication devices, to interplanetary warp drives, science fiction worlds are full of exciting new inventions. And not all of these inventions may be created by the hands of humans. Alien species may have their own technologies with their own aesthetic and capabilities
