Background-Based System

A variety of Character Customization - somewhat more strict and less abstract cousin of Class and Level System, though Prestige Classes approach the same idea, or at least are supposed to.

The character is fleshed out iteratively: for each consecutive stage of life choose a pre-set bundle of abilities and traits expressed in statistics, either fixed or with minor variations.

This is supposed to be fast method of generation that promotes roleplaying (at least, in that characters are better grounded in the setting, as they are defined by it) and reduces Min-Maxing. Some choices may have prerequisites, but each stage allows selection of multiple variants. Thanks to Combinatorial Explosion, this may add up to considerable variety of the end result, much like a flexible skeleton is constructed from inflexible bones (how much of flesh is put on it may vary).

Tabletop Games

 * Burning Wheel "Lifepaths".
 * Fading Suns "Lifepath System".
 * The original Traveller simulated your character's entire young adulthood, complete with a career with dice rolls before you got to your first moment of play, resulting in the skills you needed to survive, the savings you accumulated (if any), and any equipment you'd acquired.

Video Games

 * System Shock 2 character generation gives 3 fixed stages of career path, 3 choices on each. Each pass gives a piece of background with corresponding stats boost and skill or psionic power.