I don't like the idea that progression and customization classify a game as a RPG, because that means that almost every game out there is a RPG. A genre is supposed to help people find what they are looking for, not make it harder.
So suddenly, CoD is a RPG? Battlefield?
If you look over the RPG list on steam it's almost impossible to find actual RPG, because it seems that almost any game that has a tiny bit of progression and extra customization is called a RPG.
Suddenly I see RTS games and tactical shooters labelled as RPG. It has come to the point where I almost start pulling my hair.
If RPG used to be like you said, then what was adventure games?
If you look at music genres you don't have this problem. Each genre is pretty specific, even though sub-genres of a main genre can be similar, there are notable differences.
Classic RPG would be like the older ones that
Daerandin spoke of, and Action RPG would be games like Diablo, then games like The Elder Scrolls, The Witcher, Baldur's Gate and so on would be RPG?
I would be okay with that. All I want is a clear distinction between games that are very different in nature. It may be necessary to split up the RPG genre.