As I have started deliberating whether or not I should begin an Indy playthrough after an excruciating DiD mishap, I can't help but really be puzzled by the uncertainty which comes from its extremely vague ending slideshow.

There are a few things we do know for certain:

Exhibit A -- J.E. Sawyer has confirmed that Yes Man's reprogramming to become more assertive is not consequential: he is only doing so to ensure that no one from the outside can abuse his agreeable mentality. Only the courier is his master.

Exhibit B -- J.E. Sawyer has also confirmed that the Indy ending does not, in the short term, involve the Courier annexing the entire Mojave (or all of New Vegas, for that matter) under his securitron army. It is logical to believe that, for know, he has walked off into the sunset and let the Mojave do its own thing for a while. The fact that the Brotherhood has been allowed to spread (assuming you leave them alive) without much resistance is proof of this.

Exhibit C -- By default of being in control of the Lucky 38, the Courier owns the Strip. He has taken up House's mantle but (depending on the character) probably does not treat it the same way. Despite this fact, he "owns" every casino and takes a large cut of their profits, making him a rather rich bastard (if he wasn't already from the cool little pile of thingys that you find in the depths of the Sierra Madre).

I've been sporadic about my participation on the forums as I've dealt with a busy past few months, but I would like to come back with a logical discussion about Indy's implications. Not a string of preaches about how the NCR, Legion, or House is better; none of that. Perhaps simply a line of educated guesses about what would happen ten (maybe twenty) years down the road after an indy ending.

It could be all wild speculation if you like, although in-game evidence to support it would be refreshing.

Perhaps keep these points/questions in mind if you wish to reply:

-How factions might work together to change things in the Mojave.

-Does the Courier return from doing whatever he does to create a nation of his own? Perhaps, as he says to Ulysses; "if I built the Divide [there], I can build another place, elsewhere". (I might have butchered the quote, but you get the point)

-Best/worse case scenario?

-Is Anarchy, in the short term, going to destroy what the Courier was trying to accomplish, or open a window for him to pull off this "second divide"?

-Could the wonders of Big Mountain Research Center (technological discoveries, medical procedures, etc) play any part in this new development if used in moderation?

-Might the Courier (assuming that he is at least somewhat tech and business savvy) slide into Mr. House's role and see fit to re-ignite the old world through economical development, just without the "cold, humans don't really matter right now" part?

-And finally, if the Courier does build a new nation, will it ever grow strong enough to challenge the NCR?

I would love to see some responses and opinions on this, as I have none to ponder but my own at the moment.