http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJTsq2XeKY&feature=youtu.be&t=6m40s

This quote in one of the dev interviews really concerns me.

One of the biggest concerns that I always run into in PvP MMOs is this. Most of the time the game is geared towards endgame because everyone that wants to PvP has blinders on and is hyper focused on hitting the lvl cap ASAP just so there is one less factor in the outcome of a battle.

So I guess my question is, "Is the XP rate geared towards a slower pace, encouraging players to quest and explore, or is it set higher so players get to max level more quickly and jump into endgame PvP ASAP?"

If I had to use another MMO as an example I would pick Aion. Aion, at launch, had a very low XP rate. Not super low, but low enough that you will have gone through every instance enough times that you fully understood them. You would have gone through every story line quest campaign at the appropriate level and perhaps some that were too high for you because you had completed all other quests and had none left. Now Aions XP rate is set very high encouraging players to fly through content, complete almost no story quest lines because you out leveled them so fast, all in the name of getting players to endgame PvP ASAP.

Usually this is how most MMOs die. They encourage players to explore with low rates in the beginning and as their playerp base drops off they boost XP so players can lvl alt accounts to replace the dwindling player base. When I heard, " At lvl 50 is when the game really opens up" That concerned me, because I instantly thought, Oh no they are going to push "get to lvl 50 quickly so you can mass pvp!"

What are your thoughts? Are you one who likes to race to endgame to have the advantage over everyone and get your endgame gear first? Or do you take your sweet time to explore every nook and cranny?

It just means that 50+ players can explore the other territories that were previously out of bounds.

They can do PVE quests for their level, but they will only encounter other 50+ players from their own faction. There isn't going to be PvP in those regions even then.

All PVP is going to remain in Cyrodil (Though could certainly see expansions adding additional regions to PVP -without involving the home territories- in as part of the storyline)

As to the XP rate, I'm not sure anyone really knows. Those in beta can't say, and since ity's beta changes are likely to be made anyway.

Me? I like to explored, take my time and just enjoy the world and the stories.

He is talking about the ability to travel to the other alliance lands to run through their content and dungeons, also the dungeons in your home realm will open up to let you explore more of them and their story.