Crossworld

Crossworld is a term used in speculative fiction and game design to describe a narrative or gameplay construct involving two or more alternate dimensions, realms, or universes linked by bridges, portals, or shared origins. The concept emphasizes traversal across realities and the consequences of interacting with different versions of the same world.

Origins and usage: The term is not tied to a single canonical origin; it has been used in fan fiction and early game design to denote cross-dimensional travel. In fiction, crossworlds are often parallel or mirror universes that influence each other through actions, artifacts, or events.

In gaming and interactive media: Crossworld mechanics appear in role-playing games and video games where players navigate between distinct realms to solve puzzles, gather resources, or alter outcomes. Common mechanics include portal gates, character transformations, and alignment or consequence systems tied to world choice. Crossworlds can provide tonal contrast with each world having distinct aesthetics, physics, or social structures.

In literature and media analysis: Scholars discuss crossworlds in terms of narrative causality, worldbuilding, and ethics of contact between realms. They examine how borders between worlds are constructed, who controls passage, and what responsibilities accompany the ability to alter alternate realities.

See also: Parallel universe, Multiverse, Portal fantasy, Interdimensional travel.