Although the MQ sounds interesting, and I will definately play it through on the first go around, but after that, I enjoy starting new characters and ignoring the MQ altogether. Instead I want to focus on the various guild quests and just explore, explore and explore. (maybe take up an alternative profession such as Vampire Slayer)

To me, it wouldn't be an Elder Scrolls game if we couldn't do this. (in spite of being the "Dragonborn.")

Storm

Sadly, it seems the story already has the same sense of urgency Oblivion had. So to ignore the MQ will require the same "efforts".

Every TES game gives you the option to delay/ignore the mainquest as much as you want and just mess around doing quests, joining guilds, exploring, etc... It's already part of what makes Bethesda games so great.

i hope so too, i already have 50 hours put in one character and haven't done anything but side questing and exploring

To Bethesda, it wouldn't be an Elder Scrolls game if you couldn't do this. I've seen both Todd and Emil comment on how that game play feature is central to TES's open world game play.

Although it took effort in Oblivion, I just returned the amulet of kings and went my merry way. However it was a shame to totally ignore entirely one of the major cities.

Storm

Well in Oblivion I had never even closed a gate until I played 200 hours and had a level 43 character so I sense it cant be that bad.

And Im glad I played this way because those gates are annoying

yeah thats what id like to do except become a lich and enslave souls, and research, and gain power.

I think the mainquest will follow this:

1- Character creation in prision. (First Quest)
2- Asked to be one of the Dragon Hunters (Dragonborn) (Second Quest, now starting from this moment you will be able to do whatever you wish to, and there won't be any sense of urgency.)
3- Dragonborn training quest lines. (A series of minor quests, this will also not have any sense of urgency and still give you the freedom to do what you wish.)
4- Some twist. (The sense of urgency starts here.)

As its Elder Scrolls we should all rest easy reguarding the main quest and all quest I am sure we will be able to craft out our avatars paths any way we choose in Skyrim as all its predecessers.

:Sarcasm detected:
I just said you have to ignore the sense of urgency of the main storyline. I know you can and all of us do it at some point, although they could put in something a little less dramatic, like the starting hours of Morrowind, where freedom was a bit more accessible in terms of storyline.

Agreed, and that is critical to me for the game. However being the "Dragonborn" potentially addes some additional emphasis. But I am confident they will continue in the TES tradition.

Storm

Yes, it mainly depends on where the dreaded "sense of urgency" starts.

To avoid doing that simply follow the quest until the Hero of Kvatch quest starts and simply don't close the gate. You can go anywhere and interact with anyone and the main quest will not progress. Wish I could've said the same for FO3.

don't you find it kinda funny how you are called dragon born, and you slay dragons?

No sarcasm (well, maybe a little)
- but I think Morrowind had it right. You were "ordered" to go your own way, build up experience and return when you were ready.

Storm

Yup, the problem with Oblivion was that when the Emperor said his last words to you and died, he gave us this sense that the world is in danger.

i remember in oblivion i always left martin in bruma next to my statue and never finishing off the main quest lol

We don't really know all that much about the MQ. A Morrowind synopses can sound the same way: You are the Nerevarine and must stop the evil Lord Dagoth from breaking free of the Ghostfence and releasing the Blight upon Vvardenfell and the rest of Tamriel.
Sounds urgent, right?
I suspect Bethesda took the hint from the reception given to Oblivion's MQ and will ensure we don't start off with everything already in motion.

I can also see an immediate sense of urgency in Skyrim, in that the country is in civil war, dragons are attacking the cities and towns, and "you know who" is coming. Now if that ain't urgent ...

However, the order of events at this point is sheer speculation, and I am sure Bethesda has it covered.

Storm

It sounds VERY urgent. But in Morrowind you were just a convict, just released and told to seek some man. Who told you to go build up some experience and work a little. That's it. You didn't know the Nerevarine stuff. Different from Oblivion: Emperor dead, find Martin quick! Get him to safety! Now you need to help us because the land is in great danger! Not the same thing! Again, it all depends on where the sense of urgency starts.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh .... Did none of you read the GI article?

SPOILERS:

From the sound of it, you go through character creation, and then somehow end up in Riverside. It is HERE that the MQ CAN begin if you choose it to (my interpretation). You can go into the shop and sell some loot, get a ncie sword, etc and talk to the brother and sister of the shop. They were recently burgled and ask you to retrive the artefact. They say the villain went up into the mountains.

So you head on up to the cave and see the guy run inside. BUT ALAS! A dragon swoops down and tries to kill you! So you run inside the cave.

Long story short, you go through the cave and find the fella. He says the artefact is actually a key to a Nord Mausoleum (Crypt) and he gives it to you and you let him go. being the curious creature that you are, you use it and go inside. Inside you find on the wall some strange writing (draconian) and somehow you understand it. This details your future as a dragonborn (I'm guessing it was a prophecy carved into stone or some shiz, idk). It is here you learn your first Dragon shout (The one that throws people back).

SO - I'm guessing it says go to some hut in the woods (for eg) and you will find what you seek. Probably Esbern is there.

So no - Not being thrust into the MQ *FROM WHAT I'VE READ*

Lol, I never completed the MQ in Oblivion. However, I must say the MQ in Skyrim sounds way more interesting.