The only way I would want multiplayer implemented into any TES game would be a co-op feature. When you go co-op the enemies would just level accordingly or something. But, I highly doubt Bethesda will have any form of multiplayer in Skyrim.

I'm not sure why most of you are so hell-bent on keeping multiplayer away from the game, like it's a damn plague or something. I would hate for it to become the next WoW or anything but some of the best gaming experiences come from co-op games. It's not going to hurt the damn game or ruin any story element, it would be optional. Whats better than pulling an all-nighter of nonstop questing in Morrowind? Doing it with a friend. This is just my view, I don't see why people would make such a big deal about an optional feature.

Optional as it may be it would take a lot of work to get it working and working well. That would mean a lot of programmers not developing single player content but instead simply making multiplayer work half decently. If they actually want a good multiplayer experience it will mean that much more time and effort directed into the multiplayer experience and thus detracted from the single player experience.

It's a zero sum game.

Well maybe it's not a zero sum game, it doesn't have to be....but realistically, it is.

To add to my previous post, having optional co-op or Arena battles would be something that would be nice to see as a DLC. That way, everyone's happy. Don't want multiplayer in your game? Don't want development time/resources diverted from the single player campaign? Then don't download it. Simple.

Plus, having an Arena expansion DLC would just be awesome no matter what.

I love this idea
:3

To me this is the ONE and the ONLY thing that would feel even mildly appropriate as far as multiplayer is concerned in a TES game, and I like it.

Bethesda Game Studios said it's unlikely that they will ever implement some sort of multiplayer gameplay in The Elder Scrolls series.

And no, it wouldn't be cool. I don't want "L33Tz PL4y3Rs" with their "PH47 LEWT" playing TES, scaring players away, and annoying people.