I'm just wondering.

Do players want games like Evony to head towards a realistic fashion?
Where the game should strive to be as-near to if not almost similar to real-world conditions.
(eg. Real-world unpredictability. Real-world anomalies. Real-world limitations.)

Or should the direction instead be heading towards a ''virtualistic'' one?
Where everything and anything can be calculated and predicted using formulaes to even reach exact precisions; game exploits are acceptable and should be embraced as part of the game, not a liability.
(eg. Big armies will always defeat small armies. We can always have armies with 400,000 ballistae in them that can tear down ANY city.)

P.S My examples may not be the best ones; they may even be flawed in any case. Perhaps if anyone has better examples to characterise the Realisitc and Virtual aspect of games, do feel free.

My personal view is that games should always strive to be as real-world as possible. But I'd always like to hear what others have to comment and hear other opinions.

As always. Please do be kind and gracious to others in ur retorts and disagreements.