I've played TES since Daggerfall and even went back and played Arena once it was made free.

I just read a preview for the game in the latest issue of Game Informer and, while I LOVE everything I've read about it, one thing there puts me off:

You start as a prisoner. Again.

Arena: Starts off in a prison like dungeon of some kind.

Daggerfall: Starts off with you being released by the emperor to do a task.

Morrowind: Starts off with you being released from custody into Vvardenfell.

Oblivion: Starts off with you in a jail cell.

Why is the player character always some sort of prisoner? Is there something that ever explains this?

I'm sure you could find an explanation here:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1158444-you-will-start-as-a-prisoner-in-skyrim/

No need to have 2 threads about the same thing and all.

The point of role-playing games is that you can play a characher that you create. The prison start is in my opinion just as good as any start for the game. For example, if you want to play a good paladin, then you make up a story where your character was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit for example. If you are going to play an assassin, maybe you were caught after killing someone. The options are endless, that's why they don't give any reason for you being in prison. =)

Maybe because they just chose this as a series tradition. Not hard to comprehend. Also, it serves a story-mechanic because they don't have to tell you who you were before. That's it.

There is already a thread on this

Its a series tradition

Tradition and gives the player good roleplaying options

I used to play a game (a good, old MUD actually - everything was text and we had a crudely-made picture for graphics ) in which several of us would get together and role-play within a setting. There were usually constraints, and that made it more interesting trying to role-play one's character within those boundaries. The start as a prisoner reminds me of this, and I like it. Think of it as a challenge: try to find the most interesting backstory and reason for your character's being a prisoner.

Anybody can be in prison, from a lowly thief to a powerful lord, whether they were caught in the act, or a victim of inter-house politics. Starting in jail means that the game can have a set starting area, thus allow a decent start to the game, rather than a dozen or so half-hearted starts in different situations that have to be generic to fit with later conversations.

Use the already open topic please.