Okay here's my theory:
First, I'll make a few assumptions:
1) I think its a reasonable to assume the next game will take place after Skyrim, and we'll get to fight the Thalmor some more.
2)It will not take place in Thalmor lands. Would just be horrible to play under.
3)It will not take place in Elyswhere (Khajit place) or Black Marsh (Argonian place). As Hides His Eyes said:
Hides His Eyes said:
I'm not sure they would work as the main population group or as the "main characters", the way Imperials or Nords do, because they are so foreign and alien.
. The next game will be expected to sell even more, and commercials showing mainly cat-people or lizard-people may not do so well with mainstream audiences. Remember that live action Skyrim commercial with the village? See any races other than human? Unfortunately, if point 2 doesn't kill the possibility of Valenwood, this probably will. Wood-Elves are more humanoid than Khajits and Argonians, but possibly not enough (giant migratory trees, though. How fucking cool is that?)
4)The game will have some new mechanic/ gimmick/ feature/ whatever you want to call it. They wont re-use dragons and Shouting, but its even less likely they'll go back to just: you, magic, swords, shields, killing lots of humanoids.
Now heres a little guess of mine: the next game will feature two provinces. Gaming will be much more powerful by then, and the other provinces don't seem varied enough. Gives you two base cultures, twice the variety, and twice the area. Seems a logical move to make in 3 or so years and a console generation.
So my guess: Hammerfell / High Rock
Evidence: Both humanoid, Hammerfell independent and still resisting Thalmor. Additionally, the presence of Orsinium (city state of the Orcs) in High Rock gives even more variety (deserts, tropics, north, mountains,forests...), as well as that much admired weirdness in Elder Scrolls games. Now, it mentioned that after Altmer, Redgaurds are the best sailors. From this, I get: sailing as the new mechanic, more variety/tropical islands/pirate themes in parts of the map, and a good way to incorporate in the war with the Thalmor. High Rock has mages, Hammerfell has naval power.
So thats my theory, tell me what you think of it. Of course, they may throw us a curveball and do Akavir.