ric_a5-
Sorry. Note that I say this because I consider all the popular fantasy worlds pretty much the same, just hodge-podges of this, that, and the other, e.g. Morrowind and its mixture of steam punk, cod-Roman, and bizarre Elven civilisations.
I should say that I think there are original ideas in Morrowind, and many aspects of the game mechanics work well, with the caveat that if you know what to go for, you can unbalance the game in your favour in no time at all. There's a lot of stuff in it that just isn't thought through in that respect. I also enjoy the ongoing world-building efforts, slow though they are, by the Tamriel Rebuilt volunteers. It's not all bad. :)
I've been interested in the issue of what constitutes fantasy and what makes for a good fantasy world for a long time. Key in this is the falling-out between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis over the 'Space Trilogy' and later Narnia, but of course the problem long predates them--Tolkien's work had many influences and partial antecedents, as did Lewis's, although in their conflict the debate probably reached its apotheosis.
Have you read 'On Fairy-Stories', 'The Monsters and the Critics', and 'Leaf by Niggle' by Tolkien? If you haven't, I'd recommend them (they're all short). The two best books on Tolkien's work that I've read also touch on it, namely 'The Road to Middle-earth' by Tom Shippey and 'Defending Middle-earth' by Patrick Curry. I can lend you all of them, if you want, but do tell me to sod off if not. :)
You are reading a single comment by @ric_a5 and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
Oliver Schick
Certainly not a fan. I don't think it's a very good fantasy world (there are so many, and I'm afraid I still think Middle-earth is the only one worth bothering with). I've played it because I've always been interested in open-world games, and I wanted to play one so I wouldn't be tempted to play another. Another thing that I've long found interesting is the Ring of Gyges aspect in games, i.e. that they offer people a possibility of becoming invincible in the little game world, and the whole issue of that kind of escapism.