Alternate reality (or Alternative reality, UK English) often refers to parallel universes in fiction, a self-contained separate world, universe or reality coexisting with the real world, which is used as a recurring plot point or setting used in fantasy and science fiction.
Alternate reality may also refer to:
Science
[edit]- The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, which implies the existence of parallel universes
- Multiverse, a group of multiple universes
Arts and media
[edit]- Alternate history, a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which historical events unfold differently from the real world
- Alternate universe (fan fiction), fiction by fan authors that deliberately alters facts of the canonical universe they are writing about
Literature
[edit]- Alternate Realities (Cherryh), a 2000 anthology of science fiction by C. J. Cherryh
Games and video games
[edit]- Alternate Reality (series), a role-playing video game series started in 1985 with two of several intended games released
- Alternate reality game, a type of cross-media game
- Virtual reality, simulated reality
Other uses
[edit]- A euphemism for "psychedelic experience"