Crap! I''ve been waiting for this discussion and when the chance finally comes I''m out of town. Even so, I''ll put in my 2 cents.

As has already been stated the definition of realism depends on the context of the game. In an RPG, magic isn''t unrealistic, but other things, like an AK-47, would be. In a flight simulator, magic would be totally out of place (although it might be interesting).

One good reason to take out realsim is to enhance game play. Even in the universe of an RPG you have to admit that one decent hit with a sword pretty much ends any battle, but with such easily killed opponents combat wouldn''t be much fun. And you would have to be just as easy to kill, so the chances of long term survival would be very low.

So, it comes down to what can be realistically expected from the universe in which the game is set. And remember...it''s just a game.