RuneScape is fundamentally better than World of Warcraft

As a general precursor, it seems evident to me that the bulk of my argument rests on several key aspects that WoW offers in contrast to RS - such as gameplay, aesthethics, and really just small details that make a surprising impact on it's overall quality. Furthermore, since he hasn't touched my claim about the philosophical fuzziness of the resolution, I will have to assume that he agrees with me. He also ignores my point about the aesthetics of the game, which I will reinforce in the conclusion of my argument; such seemingly minor aspects can remarkably make a game much more enjoyable and thus fundamentally better. ==================== Runescape vs. WoW - List of criteria that demonstrates which game is better ==================== 1. World PvP + Safe PvP + PvE Sure, you may list some places in which this death penalty (or lack thereof) may be a nuisance given your goals; this kind of consequence is pretty much unavoidable for most aspects in most games in most genres across the board, especially when you are dealing with a MMORPG. However, in most cases this unique death penalty serves it's purpose in making the transition much more smoother (between death and coming back) and for facilitating the player's need, though this usually applies in PvE situations. I do agree that WoW's PvP needs some work and indeed there are things such as a honor system that will serve as another source of motivation. Furthermore, many quests or dungeons in which a group of members must fight a high-level boss will weigh importance on you staying alive given the fact that if you die, it makes it only so much easier for the rest of your team to die (and that there is no graveyard 10 steps away). In the end, though, WoW is first and foremost a PvE game - though there is MUCH potential in it's PvP, which makes it all the more exciting. 2. Cost The difference when contemplating what the majority want in terms of entertainment is that since it's basically a matter of taste and how "fun" it is, you do have to consider the fact that a considerably large amount of people find WoW fun even though it has some costs. I'd wager these costs are worth it most of the time because even though the expansions themselves cost money they are some jam-packed with new game play experience it's almost deserving. RS, on the other hand, barely makes any innovation. Sure, they come out with a lot of new updates but many of these updates comprise of the same fundamental cycle of monotonous button-mashing. 3. Class and Skill limitations I'm not saying there is NO class envy whatsoever, for that would be absurd. I am saying that it's much less noticeable than many other MMORPG, which is a feat in itself. Most of the characters have their important role in a group of players (which inevitably you will find yourself in later on in the game given the nature of quests and raids), so you won't feel like you've chosen the wrong character type. 4. Server Limitations and Factions The point in having separate servers is not only for economic reasons, but for other pragmatic ones (such as having dense overpopulation). In fact, RS has servers as well so the same criticism could be applied to you. In WoW, there are realms that can be made for a specific target group making interests more prioritized and thus better received. 5. Challenge of the game The erase any conception of levels is somewhat absurd - sure, you can level up really fast but even that process itself is pretty harsh and not for the casual gamer. What's important is the choices you make ALONG THE WAY of leveling up, such as what skills you want to focus specializing in and what not. Plus, the gradual progression to getting into harder territory is part of most, if not all, MMORPG games. In RS, it faces much more severe problems. Firstly, you are taking a myopic response to this problem - fighting isn't the main goal of RS. Indeed, there are so many other skills that you can develop that all inevitably fall into a monotonous pattern. And yes, there is the danger of dropping your items but you could always carry a minimum of items to save them either way (unless you're facing a creature which demands a full set). And yet, even at that point there isn't much skill but rather how much time you put into raising your levels, your team size, some modicum of skill, and luck. At least in WoW there is a much more intricate and frankly fun teamwork at hand. ==================== Conclusion ==================== As noted in my previous round, the aesthetics of WoW are impeccable when put in comparison to RS. The music is ambient and very befitting, while the graphical design is breathtaking - there is also the impressive accomplishment of the different terrains somehow comfortably connection together to create the world of Azeroth. A great note is that WoW is able to make each battle FUN, and to leave you from each encounter at least somewhat satisfied (I remember dying in RS and losing most of what I had. .. man I felt like crap). This can only be done with a mixture of it's aesthetics and game experiences. RS is very monotonous and takes barely any skill.