In online roleplay, there may or may not be a "Game Master" in the traditional sense of online roleplay, and even if such a position exists, the input of all players is largely the same. The actions and reactions of all characters are under the control of each individual player, which depend upon the portrayal and interpretation of the other players' actions to determine the specific "reality" for their specific character.
It is for this reason that it must be understood that even with the concept of a "multiverse" (a conglomerate world where multiple universes meet or coincide), canonized explanations of reason, science, and history may not be logically available or presentable. For every player involved, there will be a separate reality, regardless of the level of consistency between the players' realities, no matter how small the discrepancies.
If you look at this diagram, you can see how different roleplays and their universes can interact and coexist, while still differentiating between the discrepancies and incongruent worlds created by the individual players. I have included just a few select examples of where roleplay might or might not overlap, and where worlds may share similar timelines - and yet be entirely unique and separate roleplays in their own right.
Please, ask questions - I'll be happy to lend everyone a hand in understanding how roleplays interact with one another, and how to handle canonical issues when they arise.
