You're forgetting that only a few elements from earth are known to exist in the TES world.

Because it's a Video Game, the same question as why would the Emporer send only one person to do a job when he has a whole freaking imperial legion at his disposal?

Best explanation right here.

But seriously, it's raw fantasy! If it were taken further, it would go from fantasy into science-fiction.

However, I'd like to think that it's the Empire's belief in divine agents as being a universal absolute, which leads them to believe that innovation would be a challenge to their faith and a threat.

Just to prove my point, look at all of the persecuted magic-crafters. Look at the Dwemer. Look at the Necromancers. Look at the Conjurers. All of them. They are all people who in some way wrong the law of the land because they are devling in subjects considered to be forbidden. Why are they forbidden? Because of the fear and superstition and beliefs of the people.

Heck, we even have had the same thing happen in real history. Look at Galileo (probably spelled it wrong) and the Roman Catholic Church. Because he stated that Earth was not the center of the universe, the Catholic Church took that to be a threat to their faith and an act of questioning God. This was....da da daaaa....Wouldn't you have guessed it?....forbidden.

That's why I think that, in terms of looking at it from the game's perspective, is why you don't see such innovation.

NOTE: Just a note, my reference of the conflict between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church was not a bash at religion, so please don't read it as such. Thank you.

all i have to say is it is set in early early medieval time, so i believe they have as much technology as any other european society would have at the time.

nice topic. raises some good questions. I might add it into my story =)