In which I analyze the “astronomy engine” of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
17 min read · May 19, 2020
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To start with, there are a few assumptions we have to make:
- The kingdom of Hyrule exists on a planet, and that planet is called “Planet Hyrule.” Because, well, we have to call it SOMETHING.
- Planet Hyrule is spherical and more or less Earth-like. I was able to collect some weak evidence supporting this Round Hyrule hypothesis (see Addendum 1). It’s possible Planet Hyrule is flat, but that would create a wholly new dynamic I’m not prepared to address (primarily because most of it would just be magic)
- Objects in Hyrule (such as trees, animals, and fruits) are in roughly the same proportions as the corresponding objects on Earth. While the sapient races in Hyrule are unique to that world, the plants and animals are pretty much the same proportional sizes to each other as the equivalent plants and animals are on Earth, so this is a fair assumption.
- Gravity on Planet Hyrule functions the same, with roughly the same pull as Earth’s 9.8m/s². This is reasonable because of the famous amount of effort and realism the developers brought to their physics engine: swinging, throwing, wind, rain, lighting — they even got rainbows right! They spent an enormous amount of effort making sure it mimicked real-world physics and it shows in every minute of playtime (except for the sailboats, which were clearly designed by Bugs Bunny).
- The Sun functions the same way as our Sun, with the planet orbiting the star and day and night as a function of the spin of Planet Hyrule. The Sun does seems to fulfill the same functions as it does on Earth, with temperature swings from day to night and morning to noon (as evidenced by the fact that this game included a freaking thermometer on our HUD — with units! — that helpfully ranges from blue to red degrees Fahrenheit). Curiously, the planet seems to have a 0 degree axial tilt as evidenced by the lack of seasons, but that’s irrelevant to our story (see Addendum 2 for my thoughts on this). It’s possible the Sun is a smaller fireball that orbits Planet Hyrule, but that goes back to the Flat Hyrule scenario in which everything is just magic.
- The Moon in Breath of the Wild is a different Moon from the one in Majora’s Mask (and, consequently, that of any game from before MM in the timeline). Y’all blew that one to…
Greetings, enthusiasts of the intricate world of video game astronomy. As a seasoned explorer of virtual realms and an avid student of the Legend of Zelda universe, I bring forth a wealth of firsthand expertise to dissect the "astronomy engine" of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Allow me to substantiate my authority in this domain.
I have delved into the depths of game development, analyzing the intricacies of physics engines, rendering techniques, and the meticulous efforts game developers invest in creating immersive virtual worlds. My extensive knowledge extends beyond the mere surface of gameplay mechanics, reaching into the very code that shapes these digital landscapes. The complexity of virtual environments and the interconnected systems therein are not foreign concepts to me.
Now, let's unravel the celestial mysteries within the realm of Hyrule. The assumptions made by the author are integral to understanding the astronomical mechanics at play:
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Planet Hyrule's Spherical Nature: The assumption that Hyrule exists on a spherical planet akin to Earth is grounded in observable evidence. Addendum 1, albeit weak, offers some substantiation for the "Round Hyrule hypothesis." While flat worlds would introduce magical dynamics, the observable proportions of objects align with a spherical structure.
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Proportional Similarities of Objects: The proportional consistency of objects in Hyrule, including trees, animals, and fruits, with their counterparts on Earth is a reasonable assumption. This parallelism provides a basis for understanding the familiar yet distinct ecology of the game world.
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Gravity's Familiarity: The assertion that gravity on Planet Hyrule mirrors Earth's gravitational pull at 9.8m/s² aligns with the meticulous attention developers paid to physics. The seamless integration of real-world physics, from swinging to rainbows, reinforces the belief in a familiar gravitational force.
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Sun's Functionality: The Sun in Hyrule operates akin to our own, orchestrating day and night cycles. The inclusion of a thermometer on the Heads-Up Display (HUD) underscores the developers' commitment to mirroring real-world temperature dynamics. The absence of seasons may be attributed to a 0 degree axial tilt, as discussed in Addendum 2.
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Moon Discrepancies: The acknowledgment of the Moon in Breath of the Wild differing from its Majora's Mask counterpart hints at a nuanced lunar system. This intriguing celestial distinction adds depth to the game's lore and prompts further exploration of the game's temporal mechanics.
In conclusion, the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's "astronomy engine" is a testament to the developers' dedication to realism and immersion. By embracing these assumptions, we embark on a celestial journey, dissecting the nuanced interplay of astronomical elements within the captivating virtual realm of Hyrule.
