I play Empire, and from an RPish perspective this is one main motivator for why I play exclusively Light Side Imps (who aren't afraid to make the occasional Dark Side decision). All of my Imps, even my Sith, stand apart from the cruelty and coldness that most define the Empire with. I consider them missionaries of sorts, both an example that not all Imps need be evil and a lesson to fellow Imps that there is another path to walk.
But I don't care much for either side. I would take a shot at The Emperor, given the chance. I care about the digital people struggling to make it in each establishment, not their corrupt rulers.