In Morrowind and Oblivion, I never felt any pressure to pick one race over another in order to fit into the storyline. In Skyrim, there seems to be very strong pressure to become a Nord.

I'm not talking about stats or racial abilities. I'm not even talking about the way commoners treat you. I'm talking about the way the major factions view you.

Stormcloaks want to kick out the Imperials and make Skyrim the Nordish homeland once again. Really makes my orc feel right at home, huh? Meanwhile the Imperial legion is a shallow husk of what it once was, plus they tried to kill you then got their asses handed to them by a single dragon. No thanks.

Anybody else feel the same?

Nope, I am still playing as a female Dunmer.

I don't feel too pressured to be a Nord, honestly in Morrowind after I found out who my character was, I felt it was too bizarre not to be a dunmer.

While yes, the game is pushing you to be a Nord, I don't think its hard enough It will effect me when I play my breton and altmer.

No really, just going for Nord because of the racial bonuses, really fits with my 2H-wielding, light armor-using monster-hunting werewolf.

No.. I played Nord in Morrowind.. I like beign a foreigner.

Yeah man, sort of. In the beginning, I thought all Nord lovers didn't have any imagination. But now that I've seen many videos, reviews and all, it seems that they really are a great choice for warrior based character. (Yes I know you make your character the way you want, but you get my drift.)

I played mainly stealthy characters in Oblivion, and was really tempted to do the same now in Skyrim with a Bosmer or some other stealthy fella, but the whole "Burly, rugged, tough" talk about Skyrim has really changed my mind about the race I'll pick. I still haven't decided and I have no idea whatsoever what to pick. Feels like I want to try out to be a Breton mage but at the same time I want to be a powerful warrior, thief, assassin etc.

It's really sad but the whole Nordic feel has made it hard for me to decide! Any words of comfort?

I feel pressured to play an Orc because they look awesome.

Not even the least. But I am going to play a nord eventually. I call him Voldur, and he's the typical warrior dual-wielder guy in heavy armor. Smith, Block and similar to make him truly feel like a gritty, seasoned viking.

I probably will play as a Nord eventually but I don't feel pressured to do it. My first character will be a female Breton mage as planned.

Well when I finally created a character to beat the MQ in MW (after playing for years) I did feel like it had to be a Dunmer, especially moving on into the TB expansion. Note though that when playing the BM expansion I felt a lot better playing a Nord.

In OB I didn't seem too forced to play an Imperial for the MQ, partially because that being the Empire capital provience there were more of other races in it.

In Skyrim I am definately feeling the need to play either an Imperial or Nord. One for joining the Imperials, the other for the Stormcloaks. Playing anything else just feels ackward. Maybe after actually playing the game a while the other races won't seem so bad.

The Legion got their asses kicked by not a single dragon, but a single . The same would have happened to the Stormcloaks, I very much believe.

Pressured? No. That said, I do want to play a Nord on my first run-through.

I don't feel pressured, and I'll play my usual Breton first (They still have magic resistance, right?), but eventually I'll play a Nord. It's like playing a Dark Elf in Morrowind or an Imperial in Oblivion; it makes story sense.

The Stormcloaks aren't trying to make it a "Nordish" province, they just want the EMPIRE out.
The Empire isn't specifically an Imperial group
Stormcloaks isn't specifically a Nordic group.

If anything I'm put off playing as a Nord because of how common they'll be, I'd rather play a race with a more unique feel. Having said that, I'm playing as an Imperial which isn't really a unique looking race to say the least.

The opposite actually I was thinking Dunmer b/c that's what I played as in Oblivion but since the Reguards finally look like bada$$es instead of red people i'll probably play them

For me it's not really pressure I feel, but more of a desire. I really can't remember the last time I played a Nord, as I usually try to play a non-me character, so I'm I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Khajiit plans to sell weapons to both sides of conflict. Why must it be a nord to belong in skyrim's civil war?

I feel encouraged. I wouldn't say pressure, as that has a negative connotation.

I will be a Nord just so my roleplaying as a Dragonborn will fit properly.

I don't feel pressured at all. The only Elder Scrolls game where I played the native of the game's setting was Oblivion. I was a Khajiit female in Morrowind and likely will be an Argonian male in Skyrim.

That or a Bosmer. I haven't decided yet.

These "pressures" sound great to me. Adds one more angle to my character.
I can understand why some people may not like this though.

I always kind of feel pressured to play the native race atleast once, but it makes for a nice change and good lore. I prefer playing a human race, imperial was probably my favorite because of voice of the emperor. I will have no problem playing nord though since I'm part norwegian and it will fit nicely in the story.

I don't think you should really feel pressured though. All of the elder scroll games are a good play as a foreigner too.

I think nords are gonna fit into the story better than any other race so yes to your question

Can't wait to be a khajiit and show all these nords what the feline dovahkiin can do!