(dev????) storyline choices, are we being railroaded?

[Eruantien]

All the same, FFXIV already have such a branch: choosing home city. 3 diffrent stories, you need 3 diffrent characters to actually see them all. While I do not support too much branching in MMOs, this may mean that FFXIV will give you some real choices that will be impossible to undo. I'd prefer however, to have as little of those as possible, especially since any additional character is bigger monthly fee. Or rather will be.

currently yes, but just like games like xi, further down the line we will get the option to change allegiance once the questlines are finished. Although they say they may not do it, it will be a matter of when not if.