fictionalproviding

Fictionalproviding is a term used in media studies and creative practice to describe the deliberate supply of fictional content within or through real-world contexts in order to shape audience perception, engagement, or interpretation. The term emphasizes the act of provisioning fiction—designing, distributing, and embedding narrative elements in places and formats where audiences encounter them as part of their ordinary environment.

It encompasses practices across media and spaces, including transmedia storytelling, immersive theater, augmented or mixed reality installations, and the curation of fictional artefacts in exhibits or public spaces. In such uses, the line between fiction and reality is often maintained or intentionally blurred, depending on the artistic or communicative aim.

Methodologically, fictionalproviding relies on worldbuilding, prop fabrication, staged or digital content, and cross-platform distribution. It may use situations where readers or participants are not aware of the content’s fictional status, or it may overtly acknowledge the fictional nature with disclaimers, paratextual cues, or meta-narrative devices.

Scholarly discussion highlights both creative potential and ethical considerations, including transparency about the fictional nature of content and the risk of deception in real-world contexts. Critics caution that excessive blurring of fiction and reality can erode trust or lead to misinterpretation.

Examples include immersive installations that present fictional artifacts as part of a museum setting, or online narratives that unfold through multiple channels while referencing real-world locations or events as fiction. Related concepts include metafiction, alternate reality games, and transmedia storytelling.