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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/48653
License name: CC BY-SA 4.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

I would say there's a couple reasons to create a world.

## "Wonder" as a point of interest

As you mentioned, the genre is one reason. Something that appeals to readers of Sci-fi and Fantasy is being introduced to something new that **inspires awe**. (Think space stations the size of the moon or secret societies of wizards)

The writing podcast Writing Excuses covered this concept well here: [https://writingexcuses.com/2016/02/07/11-06-the-element-of-wonder/](https://writingexcuses.com/2016/02/07/11-06-the-element-of-wonder/)

## Abstracting an issue

When writing about an issue (politics, social issues, or plain ol' human condition) it can helpful to abstract the situation by using a completely different setting. **When writers use a familiar setting, they are working with all the societal symbols and baggage that comes with it.**

For example, it would be difficult to write a fictional story about a politician in a familiar setting without _also_ evoking a gut reaction from your readers. Even if that story doesn't _use_ the context of modern politics, the readers will still automatically apply the context to everything you write. So creating a new world is a strategy to distance the readers from the issue by forcing them to evaluate everything with fresh eyes.

I believe Writing Excuses also talks about this in their podcasts on writing Issue: [https://writingexcuses.com/2016/11/27/11-48-elemental-issue-qa-with-dongwon-song/](https://writingexcuses.com/2016/11/27/11-48-elemental-issue-qa-with-dongwon-song/)

## Distaste for research

I lied! There's a 3rd reason to build a world. Sometimes a writer wants a setting reminiscent of a real time/place, but can't be bothered to get every location/date/figure 100% accurate. In times like these, it can be liberating to say "this is an _alternate history_ 1800's" so you only have to sweat the details you enjoy writing about.

_(This can also open a can of worms with regards to cultural appropriation, but that's another topic)_

Original score: 2