This, I spent more time creating My Player in 2k11 then I ever have in a RPG. Also look at FPS, their online components have customization now. Really what it is, is that many RPG devs are getting so enamoured with their writing and cinematic experience, that they see character creation as not being as important as the previously mentioned items and in some cases detrimental to them. And in some cases it's our fault, ask most RPG fans, what the most important thing is? They'll say writing, you'll also here immersion, then gameplay followed by graphics. Many won't mention character creation. So from a devs point of view, if many people don't mention it as much as other items, it can't be that important right?