According to this source, Skyrim could very well be a direct sequel to Oblivion. This article of course was posted before Skyrim was even announced.

http://www.gamingnexus.com/FullNews/Eurogamer-gets-word-of-Elder-Scrolls-V/Item20559.aspx

Some things to consider:

-What exactly do they mean by a "direct sequel?"
-If voice recording is happening now, that would imply a large amount of the game has already been completed would it not?

I'm curious what others think of this source, and if it is indeed true, what does it mean?

Update: Further review shows that it's a chronological sequel to Oblivion. The question is though, how close are these two games in relation to one another, and does The Infernal City play a role at all?

Doubt it.

The Infernal City is set 40 years after the events of Oblivion, correct?

Then again, it's possible. But I really do doubt it.

Another thought on the idea that it is a direct sequel. Cyrodill has no emperor now right? So what if Skyrim is planning to invade it?

Of this I can tell you with absolute certainty: No. The Elder Scrolls always have been games for Roleplaying, meaning your character can be whatever they want. If you want to roleplay your character as the CoC (which I'm sure many people will) then that is your choice, but Bethesda will never force a role onto your character that you don't want. That ain't how they roll.

There are articles that proclaim it's set 200 years post-Oblivion, I don't know for sure. But the Infernal City is set 40 years post-Oblivion, and I'm going to bet that Skyrim is set after the Infernal City. Well after.

Well Bethesda doesn't necessarily have to include The Infernal City as they are not required.

One interpretation I have come up with for the teaser trailer is that the dragons are returning to Skyrim because of no heir to the throne, and the recent opening and closing of the oblivion gates. It's a possibility since there is no Emperor, that chaos is ensuing as a result. Could Dragon Born be the next heir to the throne of the Empire? Is it a possibility the Champion of Cyrodill will aid Dragon Born in this quest as he aided Martin? Many questions...

@ Maruhkati - It's true this isn't Bethesda's traditional style to make a direct sequel. It has never a tradition that they have followed. But rumor has it Fallout 4 will also be a direct sequel to Fallout 3. Could Bethesda be trying something new? This wouldn't necessarily be limiting the character, since the Champion of Cyrodill was already a character everyone had freedom to create in Oblivion. I just think it's interesting.

Based on the trailer, I'd say it follows closely on the heels of Oblivion, perhaps less time having passed than was the case with Morrowind to Oblivion. But then again, perhaps not. It's impossible to know as of yet.

I'm pretty sure that it's cannon.

I think what they mean is that the game will continue upon the story set up by oblivion, however I doubt the Champion of Cyrodill is also the Dragon Born because lets be honest thats an awfully long resume, and one guy can only fulfill so many prohpecies.

I mean it doesn't have to be included in the game. If this is a direct sequel to Oblivion, then the events of The Infernal City would be irrelevant.

The Champion of Cyrodiil is lost in the Shivering Isles I'm afraid. Bethesda has always found ways to "get rid" of your character from previous installments.

The Nerevarine is getting his new tan in Akavir's beaches, the Eternal Champion and Daggerfall's pawn have never been heard of again. And the Champion of Cyrodiil, like I mentioned, is spending the rest of his days in the Isles.

I hope it's not a direct sequel, and I really, really hope we don't have to play as the Champion of Cyrodiil. That character has already had enough glory and ego stroking heaped upon it. There was a thread around here somewhere about things that would make you not buy Skyrim. This is mine. If we have to play the Champion of Cyrodiil, I would have absolutely no interest in this game.

I 100% disagree.

Sure the Champion of Cyrodill becomes the Madgod, but there is no indication he/she stays in the realm of the Shivering Isles. I honestly don't know. I'm just curious what they mean by a direct sequel. This has never been the case in a TES game before, and it seems the events of Oblivion are somehow closely connected with Skyrim.

I read the http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-23-rumour-elder-scrolls-5-in-the-works, and this whole "direct sequel" is just a misinterpretation.

What the article says, is chronological sequel. Which is completely redundant (we are talking game journalists, here), but means "a game that is set after Oblivion".

It's like how Daggerfall was a chronological sequel to Arena, or how Fallout: New Vegas was a chronological sequel to Fallout 3.

I think it's only a "sequel" in the sense that it'll involve a scenario with no Emperor that Oblivion ended with. In other words, a CHRONOLOGICAL sequel. Since then there has been no "real" Emperor to fit in the throne beyond pretenders.

I'm assuming with the emphasis on "Dragonborn", it might involve the Player Character some how involved in finding the next Emperor.

I find it highly doubtful it'll force you to use the Champion of Cyrodiil.

It's the direct sequel in the sense that it's the next chapter of the main TES series, not a spin-off. It's probably going to be as connected to Oblivion as Oblivion was to Morrowind.

Even if that's the case, this whole rumor of being 200 years into the future would most likely be pushed aside. Chronological, direct, it seems this game will be set more than likely closely after the events of Oblivion. There is a possibility we could see some old faces, and possibly the Blades (their safe haven was right along the border of Cyrodill and Skyrim)?

The champion of Cyrodill can not be an NPC because everything about them is defined by the player and they have no definite personal qualities.

I was implying we could potentially play as the Champion of Cyrodill again, but that probably won't be the case. Either way, this game will probably not be too long after the events of Oblivion as they are specifically mentioned in the teaser.

By "direct sequel", I'm pretty sure all that means is that the main quest will involve the same basic conflicts, protecting the empire from the realm of Oblivion, the dremora, etc, you get the idea. It'll have references to events in Oblivion, but won't be too 'direct'. It'll likely take place several years later, and you'll be a totally new character.

Forget finding a new emperor, I wanna be the next emperor. Inb4 get Fable 3.

1. I wouldnt trust a leaked source
2. Of course its had large amount of work done its been in development for more than 2 or 3 years.

I don't think this will be set very close to oblivion at all, we just saved the world from hell (not to mention the events in Infernal City) give us a bit of a break between potentially world ending events. Plus I personally didn't like how close Morrowind and Oblivion were mostly because of the massive change in all the armor and weapons. set it a couple hundred years later then the drastic change in armor and weapons will make sense.

Yeah, the champion is far too busy being a god now. XD

Anyway, I do think it will be a sequel to Oblivion. Seeing as there's no Emperor now I think it will cause kind of a vacuum and in the process people will be looking for someone to fill that.

I'd bet on it being closer to the end of The Infernal City (and the second book), rather than Oblivion.

So... year 50 or 60 of the fourth era? Though 200 does give us the opportunity to learn about the reign of Emperor Attrebus, which would be neat.