Would you join the Empire if you could? Ave imperium!

[Noroi_Kisaragi]

I would in a heartbeat. I find it weird how all these NPC player characters are in a company that the player themself is unable to join. Why is that? Why are we forced to witness the story of Final Fantasy 14 and fight for causes we might not necessarily believe in? What if we side with the Empire?

To be more practical, it's due to development costs probably and would take some time, so obviously there was no chance of this ever happening at launch. But for a future expansion (FF14 has a 10 year dev cycle, remember, lots of things could happen!) the ability to join the Empire would be pretty neat. Wielding those gunblades, fancy class names, cool looking gear, a unique storyline from a different perspective, add in some pvp features, and what's not to love really?

I like being in the Maelstrom and all, but if we could join the Empire like all these other Eorzeans can, but not us for some reason because the developers don't want us to, I would drop it and dash to the Emperor in a second!

My life for the Empire!

[Xayoc]

This one would pave the way to Gre'thor with your ashes just like it did with all of the imperial pa'tacks. Traitors are consumed by the souls of the dishonored dead. Hopefully we shall meet in the Colluseum!

[Aicasia]

The empire is full of rapists, so no thanks.

[Sparthos]

Final Fantasy rarely allows you to be the villain so this would never happen. The Empire is clearly being setup as the villainous troupe here even if their aims are somewhat benevolent for the world at large.

If you're looking for a game that lets you do shades of grey, Final Fantasy is the wrong series. The Elder Scrolls perhaps?

[AltaneenXIV]

I too would love a gunblade/spear/shield(lol)/ect, but I'd rather get mine from taking it from their dead bodies than join up. Am I the only person who

Contains spoilers!

felt dirty doing their salute during the prison break mission? I would have rather just stomped my way in lol.

[Nayto]

Because everyone else would join the empire because they have weapons designed for 'casuals'.

Tank? Nah I'll just ride my magiteck.
Spellcaster? Nah I'll just nuke on my magiteck.
Ranged? Nah I'll just shoot you with my magiteck.
Mounts? Nah I'll just fly on my magiteck.

See, casual magiteck spam. Garleans are lazy.

[Inosaska]

The empire is full of rapists, so no thanks.

Ya very disgusting and makes me hate the empire even more.

[PrinceDemodras]

I would too. I believe in their cause even if they might be somewhat tyranical. My character's backstory (I made it up in my mind lol, but still.) is all about me being a member of the Garlean Empire.

[Iecerint]

XIV has kinda dark themes. I remember being shocked when Thancred said a certain thing so casually after the Ifrit fight. O.o

[CrimsonQueen]

No way, full of people who would kill thousands because they don't want to follow there way of life, I'd join a Primal(Shiva) before i'd willingly join the Empire.