From the Ebonheart Pact questions on the TESO website:

This might also entail the rest of the game, but how big will Morrowind be compared to how big it was in TES 3? I get that the landscape will be different, but will it still be the same size, and have a similar layout? – By Ryon Burridge
It’s difficult to make a direct size comparison between the two, as they actually take place in different areas of Morrowind. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind takes place on the northern island of Vvardenfell. In The Elder Scrolls Online, you’ll get to explore Morrowind’s mainland and see areas you’ve never seen before, or haven’t seen in to the level of detail we’re presenting it in. One such area is Deshaan, the region of southern Morrowind that borders Black Marsh. That’s not to say adventurers in The Elder Scrolls Online won’t ever be able to visit Vvardenfell.


I am pretty disappointed about this.

I think it's good, because it adds more doors open for possible expansions.

Right. So maybe Bethesda should have left The Reach out of Skyrim and used it for an expansion.

Well, of course they could have spent another 10 years, and maybe we would have all of Tamriel. But that wouldn't be very profitable, would it?

Therefore, having only certain regions is a way to make the game without spending too much time, and as Nacko said, they can easily expand the game later on, both in free updates and in larger expansions.
There is quite a big difference in making 1 province than making 9 provinces, so comparing it to Skyrim in that regard is kind of useless.

But thinking about it, I guess it is a good thing because it means they are focusing on more detail int he areas provided at launch, so they can then work to give us the other areas just as detailed (hopefullY) in future expansions. I am still excited as [censored].

I am considering switching from Ebonheart Pact to Aldmeri Dominion, though, since they can explore all of their areas.

I understand and I agree. It just seems liek the impression that was being put out (at least by fans) was that you could play all of Tamriel.

Yeah, I guess that was what was initially thought. Hopefully, they get enough players to continue to expand over the next few years though.