So we know there will be 3 factions, and the way it sounds you will create your character and be forced into the faction.

I really don't like this, I have always felt factions should be left up to players, and if you have a change of heart or are swayed to a different faction then so be it.

What is the benefit of forced allignment? Does anyone have any information that contradicts forced allegiance?

I remember playing swg and worrying about spies who flipped sides and that added a lot to the game. Also allowing people to be neutral allows for very unique situations to develop.

Fellow SWG vet here, 8 years under my belt. I was shocked to find out that the players had to join one faction as soon as they make a character. TES is a universe in which you can join multiple organizations and do pretty much whatever you want. Forcing people into factions automatically alienates you from 2/3 of the rest of the players on a server and most of the time there is no way to communicate with the other factions. I very much agree with you about the whole worrying about spies thing as well.

I don't think there is any evidence at this point saying that joining a faction based off of race isn't mandatory. Then again all we have is a magazine article and a teaser as of this moment.

Yeah I would just be patient and wait for more information to come.

I couldn't be happier about this. Can't wait!

Chances are it's going to be mandatory. They are racial alliances after all, and anything else would be really difficult to justify. Although I do love exiles as a type of 'faction', where it's free for all.

Hard to justify? How so?

Can you see the Aldmeri Dominion accepting humans into their ranks?

To be fair, there's being accepted into the ranks, and being used as a pawn.

Given the situation they are in, yes, yes i can.

I apologize for not having noticed this thread before; I posted something with similar contents here; http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1373261-factions-lack-of-neutrality-and-its-consequences/. In it, I discuss neutrality and it's consequences to the gameplay.

it doesn't feel very TES-ey to not be able to choose your own faction despite your race. Even an imperial could join the Stormcloaks, so why not a Khajiit joining the Daggerfall Covenant, a human collaborating with the Aldmeri Dominion or a Bosmer seeking refuge from oppression in the Ebonheart Pact?

No. No they are not. Racial that, is. They are regional alliances. The Ebonheart Pact was created to defend the borders of Skyrim, Morrowind and Dark Marsh from the invaders that constantly push into their territories. Doesn't matter what race you are in that aspect; you could just as well hate a particular faction for bothering the city you inhabit. Whether it is part of your race or not. The Daggerfall Covenant is based on economy, which again is based on location, not race. Finally, the Aldmeri Dominion believe the world's faults to be caused by disorganization and that particular races are more chaotic than others. Men being the worst of them. So, while the Aldmeri Dominion is racest, it strives for racial hierarchy rather than exclusion of other races.

On the note of neutrality; I think that most peasants and townsfolk would be considered neutral, while their protectors are considered to be of a particular faction. The townsfolk defend themselves when they need to and can accept new leadership when such establishes itself. It's primarily the military that should be forced to pick sides, while there might be a few fanatics among the villagers that wave their flags at any occasion.