speculative fiction

All of the objects of study, while occurring in different mediums, share the genre of speculative fiction (and Myst and Riven also have a mystery element to them as well). Speculative fiction as a genre category contains several other genres: science fiction, fantasy, utopic and dystopic. Each of these genres speculates on potential worlds and our lives in them. Anthony Wolk discusses how speculative fiction pushes the envelope of our knowledge, focusing our attention on our boundaries (28). It is a genre of fiction concerned with imagining worlds beyond our present reality that just may be possible. A great example is Star Trek. We see Scotty beam up Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock which is, as of today, quite impossible. But the computers aboard the Enterprise presage the computers that have since been invented and are now being used around the world. Speculative fiction is about the potential of seeing imagination become reality, whether it is a scientific invention or a social change. Granted, fiction in general is full of imagination and possibility, but speculative fiction posits an alternative worldview that can reflect or refract with our reality. And it seems like a genre readymade for hypermedia, a medium that allows you into immersive simulated worlds. These worlds can be magical or mechanical, but they give us a "reality" just on the edge of our own. Myst has the labyrinths of D’Ni where writing is an art of world creation or connection. Sandman takes us into our dreams, and introduces us to the Endless, meta-mythological figures touching our world across eras and cultures. Ultima OnLine places the participant in the magical world of Britannia, filled with rogues, sorcerers and monsters galore. MitterNachtSpiel takes us to a midnight theatre to play with the moon and company. Speculative fiction opens up to the imagination, and allows us to see what may be possible in our world.