How big is Skyrim actually supposed to be?

How big is Skyrim actually supposed to be?

The question that has plagued gamers for years: How big is the world of Skyrim, really? According to the developers, Skyrim’s world spans approximately 15 square miles, which may not seem huge compared to some other games. But before we delve into the size of the game’s world, let’s take a look at some factors that contribute to its feel of grandeur.

Factors that result in the perceived size

• Textures: The game’s textures, or the graphical representation of surfaces, may not be on par with modern standards, but that doesn’t affect the game’s overall experience. The low-resolution textures actually work to the game’s advantage, making exploration feel more authentic.
• Movement speed: Traveling across Skyrim can take time due to the characters’ limited movement speed and the vast distance between destinations. This sense of slowness can make the world feel much larger than it actually is.
• Fast travel: The inability to fast travel until specific points in the game add to the sense of scope. When fast travel becomes available, it can reduce the feeling of vastness, making the world feel smaller than initially perceived.
• Scenic design: The game’s scenic design, including landmarks, cliffs, and rivers, contribute to the illusion of a massive world. Even small sections of the landscape can make the area feel larger.

Actual size of Skyrim’s world

• According to the developers, Skyrim’s world has a heightmap that is rectangular and divided into 119 x 94 = 11,186 in-game "cells".
• Each "cell" has a width of 57.6 meters and a height of 3,317.76 square meters, making the entire map have an area of approximately 37.1 km² or 14.3 square miles.

Comparison to other games

• GTA V: While not as open-world as some other games, Skyrim is comparable to GTA V’s map, which spans 30-40 square miles depending on the edition.
• Red Dead Redemption 2: The game has a massive map, twice the size of Skyrim’s, covering an area of 29 square miles.
• Starfield: The upcoming Bethesda game features 1,000 planets, with each planet having a few square miles of explorable area. This means that Starfield’s map is significantly larger than Skyrim’s.

Other notable sizes

Challenges and rewards

While Skyrim’s world may seem small compared to some other games, its compactness allows for a more immersive experience. With a dense population, 700+ hours can be spent exploring, completing quests, and discovering new locations, making it an incredibly rich and rewarding experience.

In conclusion, Skyrim’s world may not be the largest, but it is packed with content, scenic design, and challenge, making it an extraordinary experience that keeps players busy for hundreds of hours. Whether exploring the snowy mountains or wandering through ancient ruins, Skyrim’s size may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but its depth and complexity will always be cherished by its loyal fanbase.