Hey guys, quick question.
I've never played an MMO before. I also haven't played Skyrim yet. Busy with school and stuff, haven't had the time.
I have alot of games from steam sales and stuff + Skyrim that I want to make myself play before I buy any more games.
What I'm saying is that I don't think I'll be able to pick up TES:O, if I pick it up, until long after the release.
What is the downside to starting an MMO after it's been out for a while? Does it matter?
I realize that it might depend on the mechanics of the specific MMO, but I don't know anything about MMOs really. Feel free to tell me about those too with what you think this one will be like.

Thank you!

There isn't a great downside, and it doesn't really matter.

It normally doesn't matter, as in most MMOs there's lots of people at every level bracket so there's always people to play with/kill. There are some MMOs where starting late can put you at a disadvantage, but as things look right now TESO doesn't seem to be a game of that type.

Best option? Currently: Don't get it period. But if overall you do get into an MMO, you're just gonna have to level up and play through end-game raid/dungeon content to get up-to-date otherwise, you're not far behind at all.

From what we've seen of TES online, it's not going to matter. Server demographics are going to be much more important than when you start.

i think it is great to start an MMO later.
because:
-initial release wont have many content, if u start later, many contents will be out already
-You can read reviews. If the mmo is crap, you will be thanking urself for not wasting time on that MMO.
-You can find out roughly how many people play this MMO. You can also find out if the mmo community ingame is immature/mature
-You can find out if this game REALLY IS dependent on cash or not

But be warned, if u start an MMO, be prepared to spend loads of time on it. If u end up quitting later on and spent many $ on cash(like nexon), you WILL regret it.

Number 2 on that list, wish I did it with SWTOR, would've saved $75, :/

Most MMO's have troubled launches (not enough content, buggy, balance issues, ect.). Starting late can be a much better experience.

One downside of starting an MMO late is that it's few people in the starting zones, this makes it feel more like an single player game and quests in MMO are more about quantity than quality. It also makes it hard to get help for group based quests.
Guilds help here, you also have special guilds for characters who level up increasing you chance of finding someone at your level.

This also make it hard to do dungeons before high level, WOW has an auto grouping function who helps however many in this random groups has no patience for noobs as they are leveling their fift character.

Less crowding however make it easier to get quest and crafting resources.

Good point.

Only reason i start early myself is to experience how to content feel and look like together
with all the other little and big children waiting for the gift to unfold:)