In the Q&A it was said that the story is rather linear, which means that we probably won't be able to pick sides. Now, yes, I'd love to be able to fight for both the Empire and the rebels, but it's one or the other. Why? Because they can't have you be able to do both, because in the next game (or books, too) they would have to go with just one thing, not both. Think about it like this, if in Oblivion you could join Mankar Camoran and help him take over the world, Skyrim wouldn't be happening. That's something pretty big, it's not like people can just ignore or forget it. Sorry if this has already been brought up before, just a quick thought.

But it does'nt mean what we can't kill all loyalists! :hubbahubba:

There could be another dragon break.
or, no matter which side you choose, the quest events will lead to both sides uniting (most likely against the new common enemy Alduin).

I refuse to help the Empire.

I hope we'll have a choice in that regard, and I hope there is no clear black and white between them. I'd rather support the Empire. Why? Because I'm sick of being the rebel in 95% of games.

Main story's about saving the world, not about saving the Empire.

If the rebels win, it's obvious what the next TES game will be.

TESVI: The Empire Strikes Back

Who says the civil war ends when we beat the main story? The war could last 20 years, well beyond the games timescale. So regardless of what side we join we never see the end to the war.

Maybe the war ends and they unite because the dragons appear or one side is wiped out by dragons you could always end up a survivor on the loseing side ?

All roads may lead to Rome (conflict with Aldun) but as Aldun is just Akatosh differently understood, and Akatosh allowed the dragon break, perhaps their will be some different endings, the main quest will lead up to this in a linear fashion, however, I don't think their will be another dragon break as it makes things so messy (especially if you keep playing after main quest is done)

I refuse to help the rebels! The Empire deserve all the power. Tyrants ftw.

What I wish is a very dynamic world, not a dynamic main quest. But that doesn't mean I want one path. I want at least two. And since the developers announced that it would NOT have a definite ending like New Vegas, there isn't room for more than two unless you want to wait 5 months for Bethesda to hire all of the good modders of Oblivion and Morrowind.

Really, all I want is a gripping story, strong character relationship, and good gameplay(please keep fetch quests and backtracking to a minimum...PLEASE). However...for guild quests and side quests, there should be multiple ways of finishing as it won't affect the ending, at least if the ending is like Oblivion where only the main quest is mentioned.

P.S to Chancellor Ocato:

I still don't see what's wrong with having a single canonical path but allowing the player character to deviate from that.

The majority of the game world you play in will not even involve the main quest. Its the rest of the game that matters the most. In all of those side-quests, there will likely be many choices to choose different sides in a conflict, and cause the quest to play out differently each time. I wouldn't worry too much about the main quest. Just do it, get it out of the way, and then start the real adventuring!

Hopefully, considering (i) the backdrop of the civil war, and (ii) the map on the Bethesda Studios wall that revealed REBELS based at Windhelm and EMPIRE based at Solitude, there is some likelihood of a more dramatic main quest where the player must choose which side of the civil war to support.

Some have argued against any multiple endings because they want their playthrough to be faithful to canon.

Personally, don't care whether any particular playthrough of mine diverges from whatever Bethesda determines to be the "canon ending" of the game, since I will play the game multiple times, making different choices along the way.

IMO, having player choices dramatically impact the world and the game's ending trumps fidelity to the literary canon of TES lore any day.

This is what I think will be happening


Woo!

Or they could do the same thing as Fallout and choose a ending to make canon

^This, exactly - no reason why every player's ending for every single playthrough has to be identical to canon ending.

It's a freaking civil war, there has to be the potential for either side to win.

Don't you all think it would be pretty lame if there was an epic civil war in skyrim but the same side always wins the war, no matter how many times you play?

all the things i'll do and all the money i get will get to a worthy cause......Me

Which faction lets me Look out for Number one the most? The Empire might pay better, But if I go Rebel I can just loot and pillage to my heart's content... Dilemma! Help!

do what i'd do, play both sides as a mercenary no allegiance to anyone but yourself
and no one can accuse you of betrayal since there was nothing to betray in the first place.

Makes sense to me. And at this point I am expecting anything.

Aren't you been lead to your execution at the start by the empire? I not a forgiving person.

I'd love to have multiple endings. But, just look at the warp in the west. Best to leave that for side quests and factions. Leave the main quest rather linear. But I don't want the main antagonist to ask me to join him, then not let me when I want to! Ur, you troll. :verymad:

What if you can choose who you want to support, but for instance the rebels will always win. Often one person is not enough to tip the scales in favor of whomever he is supporting. Just like you could play the Germans in Company of Heroes, but even when you beat the German campaign they would still loose the war, even though you did all in your might to stop the allied forces, the odds were just stacked against the Germans.