I mean, do I have to know the history before Skyrim? Or can I begin at Skyrim?

I'm thinking about buying this game, but I'd like to know if there's anything important to know about the past games.

Every Elder Scrolls game is made to be playable without any prior knowledge of Tamriel or it's environs, you could enjoy it with no previous TES experience. It's my opinion the game is much better when you know what all the subtle references and callbacks are (Alduin is also a much more interesting character when overlaid with the previous games), but it's not necessary.

Each game has its own thing, but it is good to know what was what in Oblivion, and especially Morrowind now that the DB DLC is coming up.

If you cannot play the past games you can just watch LPs on YouTube of the MQ for Oblivion/Morrowind.

welcome to the forums! yes you can, but i think you'll probably will go back and play the others. that's what usually happens. all are great games but i like to know the lore so i tend to play them...

Very few of us started with Arena. So you are not alone. Nearly all of us here started somewhere in the middle. We learn as we go.

You will have more fun if you know the background on the history with subtle hints at previous games and lore, but you can absolutely start at Skyrim.

Absolutely. I started with Skyrim - the in-game books and dialogue provide more than enough information and background. Beside, the most intriguing and complex aspects of lore are best viewed online. The Lore forum can help you there.

I'd recommend going back to the past games if you enjoy Skyrim though, just to explore more of Tamriel and experience everything they have to offer

With history it's a lot better, but it's still great if you don't know anything.

Yes, you can, that is how I got started.

Um... Hi? Have a http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg, both of you

TengenToppa got it right, you don't need to know anything about the previous games to understand and enjoy Skyrim. However, you will encounter minor references to Oblivion and Morrowind: books, quests, people, the Prophecy of the Dragonborn itself refers to all major events in the series. It adds flavour to the game if you know what they're about, but it's by no means necessary. What's more, you'll learn a lot about the world if you take time to read every book you can find (and there's plenty of them). So play Skyrim, have fun, fall in love with it and then try the previous games!

I'd only played oblivion before skyrim but they all play well as stand alone games. If you develop an interest in the lore then obviously previous games will be much more relevant.

Thanks! I guess it was the best fast answers i've ever got in a forum. I'll buy it, then I'l post my experiences with the game.