Table 1 Overview of the dimensions annotated using GPT and the references guiding this selection.

Novelty

The extent of difference between the imaginary world and the real world as experienced by the targeted audience.

(Baranes et al. 2014; Sehl et al. 2022)

Familiarity

The extent to which the imaginary world resembles the real world as experienced by the targeted audience.

(Brooks et al. 2022; Mueller et al. 2012)

Originality

The degree to which the imaginary world presents unique environments not previously explored in other imaginary worlds.

(Carbon et al. 2013; Mueller et al. 2012)

Inventiveness

The extent to which the narrative introduces proper names (of places, characters, concepts, etc.) that are unfamiliar to the targeted audience.

(Langlet 2006; Suvin 1979)

Richness

The volume of details provided about the imaginary world.

(Kaplan 1992)

Size

The perceived scale of the imaginary world in terms of its geographical vastness.

(Baranes et al. 2014)

Extensibility

The extent to which the imaginary setting could serve as the backdrop for a variety of different stories beyond the original narrative.

(Besson 2015)

Structure

The organization of the imaginary world’s environmental information.

(Saint-Gelais 1999)

Coherence

The logical consistency and clarity of the imaginary world’s information, ensuring that all elements fit together in a meaningful manner.

(Besson 2015; Kaplan 1992; Upal 2011)

Mystery

The promise of revealing new aspects of the imaginary world.

(Bermejo-Berros et al. 2022; Kaplan 1992; Poli et al. 2022)

Uncertainty

The degree to which the imaginary world generates ambiguity or questions about its environment.

(Hsiung et al. 2023; Jach and Smillie 2019; Muth et al. 2015; Ruggeri et al. 2023)

Controllability

The level of influence that readers might feel they could exert over the environment if they were to find themselves within the imaginary world, considering the understanding they gain about its functioning.

(Chambon et al. 2018; Ligneul 2021)

Dangerousness

The perceived level of threat or risk present within the imaginary world, affecting its inhabitants or characters navigating through it.

(Scrivner and Clasen 2022)

Plausibility

The extent to which the imaginary world is conceivable within its own logic and rules.

(Pavel 2023)

Realism

The degree to which the imaginary world accurately represents real-world environments.

(Harris 2021; Pouliot and Cowen 2007)

Ecological diversity

The variety of imaginary ecosystems and species depicted within the imaginary world.

(Langer et al. 2021)

Sociological diversity

The variety of imaginary social structures, cultures, and communities.

(Besson 2015)

Physical counterintuitiveness

The presence of elements within the imaginary world that contradict or challenge our intuitive understanding of physical principles.

(Banerjee et al. 2013; Boyer and Ramble 2001; Norenzayan et al. 2006; Nyhof and Barrett 2001; Spelke 1990; Stahl and Feigenson 2015)

Biological counterintuitiveness

The presence of elements within the imaginary world that contradict or challenge our intuitive understanding of biological principles.

(Atran 1998; Banerjee et al. 2013; Boyer and Ramble 2001; Norenzayan et al. 2006; Nyhof and Barrett 2001)

Navigation

The depiction of characters moving through and interacting with the imaginary world, even if it is not for the sake of exploration per se.

(Dubourg and Baumard 2022b)

Exploration

The depiction of characters actively seeking to discover and learn from the imaginary world.

(Sehl et al. 2022; Dubourg and Baumard 2022a)

Temporal depth

The richness of the imaginary world’s representation of different eras.

(Besson 2015)

Description

The proportion of the literary text dedicated to detailing the environment of the imaginary world.

(Dubourg and Baumard 2022a)