The Elder Scrolls: The Escape Scrolls

We all know the game series The Elder Scrolls, and those who don't, have probably been living in a hole for a couple of years (More than 10.) The popularity of this series severely rose with the release of Morrowind, the third installment in the series, and even further with the fourth: Oblivion.

The Elder Scrolls consists of the most awesome RPG elements known to man. Common for all the games is that you start as a prisoner in a holding cell, without a clue as to what you have done or why you are there. Once you escape, which you definitely will, you can roam around in a huge world and do as you very well please.

Now why would I wanna do that?
Because it is fun?
Definitely!
Because I am bored?
Supposedly.
Am I a fan?
Yes, indeed!

But why do millions of people succumb to the need of playing such a game, and why is it so popular?
The answer to that would be: Because it is an open world, where you can do as you please.
But can't we also do that in, say, real life? YES, WE CAN!
The difference is that in the world of Elder Scrolls, there are no REAL consequences. If you die, you just load. Something is too hard? Alter the difficulty! Too mundane? Use magic! In a bad mood? Assassinate some innocent civilians!

This game is ultimate form of video game escapism. You can even create your own content with a fancy toolset they give you for free. People are free to create their own textures and meshes such as these:

Interestingly enough, it was a chick who made this. I bet you thought it was a guy!

Anyway, so if someone wants to ignore the real world, and just bask in glory of being sole person the entire world revolves around for a couple of hours a day, The Elder Scrolls are just made for you. Even on their website they advertise, saying: "Be another person, in another world." It's the perfect opportunity to earn some dead hours! And who would you rather be?

Sheldon the Garbage Man, having to deal with bills and relationships - or Timmy the Great (I came up with that name,) Who own his own bests the Daedric lord, Mehrunes Dagon, with 100% chance of success, but still made so that it seems like an achievement?

The latter? I thought so!
So do I have a problem with escapism? No! I think it is great! I think dead hours are the best kind of pass-time in the world! Given my "Aesthetic" way of life, I think that this is awesome and that there are few things better to do.

Applaud for Bethesda studios! Really!