WoW VS DnD

The purpose of this document is to clearly define if World of Warcraft(WoW) is the same or similar to Dungeons and Dragons. (DnD). To be fair I am going to include a 3rd Game/Series aid in a fair comparison. Where this came from statement in a news article "Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care."(Whole Article http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070716/ap_on_re_us/neglect_internet_addiction) I made the reference that this story does not bode well for WoW because it was very similar to Dnd, and I got Hammered by half of my co-workers(who all play WoW) saying that the 2 were not similar, and making that comparison was like saying Pong was the same as WoW. So here we go, just how similar are they?

Character
First lets define what is Dungeons and Dragons, and what is not
to begin a game of DnD You must Create a Character, With attributes such as Strength Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Then choose a Race, Class, alignment, and Skills. Characters Vitality is measured with Hit Points(HP).

Actions
Simple actions have a 100% success rate, complex actions are require a Throw of the dice to determine success


Game Progression
As the game progresses the Character gains experience(EXP) through actions and quests. With enough EXP characters gain levels, with Levels come improvements class features, abilities and skills.

When a characters HP is depleted he is considered knocked out or Dead, It is usually possible to revive the character.

Gear
Items like Armor, Weapons are gathered and equipped. Some items require certain levels to be acquired before they can be used. Gear can be Found or purchased

Adventures

A typical game of DnD consists of a single adventure or story line. Typically these games have a background story of some kind, including Maps, Illustrations, location descriptions and goals to achieve. A linked series of adventures is referred to a campaign or world. Characters go out to battle Monsters and to interact with Non Player Characters(NPCs)

There is no Clear End to the game and it can go on indefinitely based on what the players and the GM want to do.


Comparison
So that, in short is Dungeons and Dragons, Now to compare World of Warcraft and Halo to DnD. To be fair I will be citing Multi-Player Halo 2

Aspect	DnD	WoW	Halo 2
Characters
Attributes	Variable	Variable	N/A
Class	9 Classes*	9 Classes	1 Warrior
Race	5 Races*	10 Races (5 Per Faction)	2 Races, (1 Per Faction)
Actions Success based on Character	Yes	Yes	No
Gear - Acquire
Armor	Purchase, Enemy Drop, Find, Make	Purchase, Enemy Drop, Find, Make	Find, Enemy Drop
Weapons	Purchase, Enemy Drop, Find, Make	Purchase, Enemy Drop, Find, Make	Find, Enemy Drop
Gear - Equip
Armor	Limit By Character	Limit By Character	N/A
Weapons	Limit By Character	Limit By Character	All Characters can use All Weapons
Types of Gear	Unlimited**	Unlimited**	17 Weapons
Character Death
Single Character	Revive By Others	Revive By Others	Auto Re-spawn
Entire Party	Restart Instance	Restart Instance	Restart Level
Character EXP	Unlimited**	70 Levels	None
Adventures	Open	Open	Set Story
Game Ending	Not Defined	Not Defined	25 Levels or Maps
DnD		13.5	1
WoW	13.5		1
Halo	1	1

* Online Version
** Limited By game engine


Out of 14 points DnD and Wow are the same on 13 and almost the same on 1 point, while halo is the same on 1 point and partly the same on 1 point.

In conclusion Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft are not the same, but it is very clear that they come from a the same back ground and share lots of aspects, While Halo 2 shares almost none of these characteristics.