How long is Skyrim time in real time?

How long is Skyrim time in real time?

The world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a fascinating one, with its intricate lore and immersive gameplay. One question that has long puzzled players is how the game’s in-game time translates to real-world hours. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Skyrim and provide a detailed breakdown of its time scales.

The Default Time Scale

When playing Skyrim, the game’s default time scale is set at 20:1, meaning that for every 1 minute that passes in-game, 20 minutes pass in real life. This can take some getting used to, especially if you’re a fan of playing games where time seems to pass much more slowly. However, this scale is designed to provide a sense of continuity and consistency within the world of Skyrim.

Days and Weeks in Skyrim

In-game, a single day in Skyrim is roughly equivalent to 1/20 of a real-world day. This means that if you spend 5 hours playing the game, you’ve effectively spent approximately 25 real-world days in-game. This may seem confusing, but stick with it, and we’ll explore the implications further.

Here’s a table to help illustrate the ratio:

Months in Skyrim

As you’ve probably noticed by now, the scale gets even crazier when you start to consider months in Skyrim. A month in-game can last anywhere from 8 to 16 real-world days, depending on how you define a "month." Let’s take it one step further:

The Game’s Internal Logic

From a game-design perspective, Skyrim’s developers aimed to create a realistic and immersive experience. One way to achieve this is by replicating the pacing of real life. A day in Skyrim is long enough to accommodate a normal day of activity, whereas a month allows for various events, festivals, or even changes in the climate.

This internal logic plays a significant role in making the world of Skyrim believable and enjoyable. By introducing a concept like time cycles, Bethesda Softworks’ developers successfully create a connection between the in-game environment and the player’s expectations.

Sleeping in Skyrim

When you put your character to sleep or rest in a bed, the clock resets, ensuring that you can continue where you left off. It’s not just about having a decent night’s rest; this feature also aligns with the game’s internal clock.

Waking up to a Changed World

In Skyrim, the game world changes between day and night, so when you wake up to a changed world, this is the in-game cycle resetting itself. This keeps the gameplay engaging and helps maintain immersion in the fantastical world of Skyrim.

Comparison to Real World

As you’ve seen above, 1 in-game day corresponds to approximately 0.05 real-world days (or 3.6 real-world hours) at a 20:1 scale. This isn’t quite like real-life, where days are uniform and months follow a clear pattern.

To put things into perspective:

• An in-game week is 7 in-game days
• 3 in-game weeks would equal approximately 2 real-world weeks or 12-14 real-world days
• 10 in-game months would mean around 8-13 real-world months

Considering the vastly different scales involved, the idea of hours, days, and weeks in Skyrim starts to fade into perspective. It is essential to recognize that each in-game period is based on an artificial scale unique to the game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the idea of time passing in Skyrim might seem unfamiliar at first, understanding its internal clock can enhance the overall experience. By realizing that each in-game unit of time corresponds to 20 times that amount in real-world time, we can better grasp the in-game dynamics and appreciate the game’s intricate design.