Size of Cantha

[Ranger Nietzsche]

So I decided to estimate the approximate size of the entire Canthan map in miles. I first had this idea because it seemed to me that we run long distances in very small amounts of time.

This was my method. I found a long, uninterrupted distance in teh Shing Jea island to run. I picked it because of the ease of killing things in my way. One assumption I made is that Vertical difference doesn't change the horizontal speed* Next I found the distance ratio between how far I ran and a larger stretch on the zoomed in World Map (1:6and2/7)** Then I found the ratio between that stretch and the overall dimensions of the world map (1:8.5 vert and 1:11 horiz)*** Some math later, I found the time to run the full length of the map to be 26.71 minutes vertically, and 34.57 minutes horizontally. Now, this corresponds to an incredibly small map. The fastest marathons (unofficial records here) ever ran are around 2 hours. So, given that our characters never get tired etc. the world map is about 6-7 miles across, and slightly less vertically. Given my incredibly large amount of error here ****(one assumption and every time a multiplication is performed, the error is correspondingly multiplied) the largest it could possibly be is still about 100 miles. Only slightly less than the distance between Albany and New York City. Or about the length of Long Island.

End message: This place is tiny. Gives LOTS of room for more chapters I suppose. One continent is more like a large island. Also justifies the relatively small ingame NPC population.


EDIT: Added Pictures
*I made this assumption based on a few trials, and that there is no Z-axis in the guild wars universe, the map moves under the player, the character model isn't actually moving at all.
**Zoomed in World Map

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/3200/zoomedinmap6nl.th.png (http://img128.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zoomedinmap6nl.png)

***World Map

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/778/unzoomedinmap3hj.th.png (http://img128.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unzoomedinmap3hj.png)

****Error analysis, and the crappiness of this section pains me:
First: Assumption of no vert in the horizontal distance equation. This being incorrect would artificially increase the time needed to travel the horizontal distance, causing a geometric increase in the map size. AKA Incorporating a z-axis difference decreases the actual map size from the estimates by a factor of about 10.

Ratios taken. Seconds:yellowline:orange line:map dimensions:minutes:miles
Inc/Dec in error_____Inc______Inc_______Inc___________Dec____ Inc
Error changes are geometric and indeterminate

[Zaxares]

Sure makes you wonder how they possibly grow enough food to feed everyone, doesn't it?

[Arctus Redryn]

If you have looked at the footprints, they indicate huge strides. The distance between footprints is about (estimate) 6 or 7 feet, so using your marathon measurement might be inaccurate.

In addition, Vvardenfell (The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) is only about 16 square miles (if I remember correctly), and those of you who know would tell you that Vvardenfell is giant.

I have to say, though, good work...must have taken some time. :smiley:

[Seyfert]

good job you must have a lot of patience

[Serendipity]

In every game, there is a vertical and horizontal exageration. You can't have a tropical beach, and then 100 meters higer, eternal snow.