A detailed analysis of the water system of Morrowind, the famous 2002 video game (which received an expansion for The Elder Scrolls Online that you can find on Amazon), revealed that the rivers on the island of Vvardenfell are not actually real waterways. YouTuber Any Austin conducted an in-depth investigation, applying hydrology principles to the game’s virtual world.
Austin’s analysis highlights how Morrowind’s supposed rivers lack key features like the flow of water, looking more like “long thin and useless lakes” than true streams. This discovery sheds new light on the geography of the game world, revealing some inconsistencies in its design.
You can no longer believe in anything, not even the rivers of Morrowind.
In his video, Austin applies concepts of hydrology and geology to explain the choices of the level designers of Bethesda. He analyzes the tectonic composition of the Red Mountain at the center of Vvardenfell and compares the game’s waterways to real-world examples, even citing a 1983 study to support his argument.
However, after meticulously constructing his argument, Austin passes the last minutes of the video demolish it. He concludes that the waterways of Vvardenfell are neither rivers nor swamps, but simply “elongated natural pools with no good reason to exist.”
This detailed analysis, although seemingly futile, testifies to the depth and complexity of the world created by Bethesda. Morrowindunlike his successors, invited players to fully immerse themselves in its lore and in its setting, stimulating reflection and analysis even more than twenty years after its release.
Attention to detail e.g the internal coherence of the game world contributed to making Morrowind a cult title, still the subject of studies and discussions. This dedication from fans demonstrates not only the quality of the game, but also its lasting impact on gaming culture.
Austin’s meticulous analysis, which applies scientific principles to a virtual worldrepresents an example of the critical and analytical approach that more complex video games can stimulate. It demonstrates how a videogame work can transcend simple entertainment, becoming an object of in-depth study and reflection.
Source: www.tomshw.it
