Character

Where does it come from?
I often wonder if a beat-up box or heavily worn book says something about the game at the game table? Does it announce, "This has seen a lot of use because it's a really good game!" By contrast, does a shiny new game invite suspicion as untried? The above box has some "character". It's been split at the corners, taped with duct tape which deteriorated over years and is now replaced with clear packing tape. The lid is "dished", rubbed and worn. Removal of the duct tape took part of the cover illustration with it. So what does this say about the game?
The idea of character encompasses a lot of related concepts. In role-playing games we speak of "playing our character", the PC or playing piece in the game. Depending on the rules and the style of play, the PC may be "fleshed out" or just some numbers on a sheet. White Box allows for as much or as little fleshing out as the players want to do in this regard. GURPS incorporates advantages and disadvantages (and quirks) into PC design and therefore pushes us toward fleshing out the character as a personality with more than number statistics. One is expected to role-play the advantages and disadvantages during the game.
Some players like to start with a character concept in mind before any dice are rolled or points spent in character generation (chargen). Other players like to let the character's "personality" develop during play. Some don't care about either. One common feature of the game, regardless of rule system, is "introduction of characters" where each player in turn introduces the character they are playing by stating their name, often in a "funny voice" and describing their appearance. It certainly can be helpful if everyone at the table shares the same preferences for chargen, but depending on the system and milieu, this may not be necessary. Role-playing is a very flexible hobby.
The referee is responsible for bringing "character" to a number of NPCs during play. This can be rolled randomly, or be thought out as part of preparation. I frequently draw on old PCs, either my own or others I've seen played, for inspiration regarding NPCs. Sometimes I even use the original name, but not often. When you want a memorable NPC, it helps for the referee to have a pretty good feel for who that person is, what they are about, and what makes them unusual? Sometimes I like to show the players a picture of the NPC (or location because places can have character also).