Quote Originally Posted by bigred View Post
What does independent mean exactly? Just not do subquests for any of the tribes?
You have 4 (not 3) factions to choose from for the main story line.

NCR
Legion
Mr. House
Independent.

The independent storyline opens up roughly after you search Benny's room and is started by someone called "Yesman".

Basically, the independent line is you exploiting this yesman (who can only ever say yes) and using him to take over New Vegas.