D&D 5E Question about backgrounds.

[Evenglare]

So reading through some posts here and then going through backgrounds in basic. What's the point of actually detailing backgrounds, just as examples or something? It states that you can alter your background however you want, so if you can just pick whatever you want what's the point of actually having backgrounds as opposed to guidelines to actually creating your own backgrounds and give one or two examples?

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=63245]Evenglare[/MENTION]
Spark peoples' imaginations?

 

[Agamon]

Some people just want to quickly make a PC and go. Some people like the idea of thinking things through and being original. Different strokes, and all. Vive les possibilités!

 

[Ravenheart87]

It's also good to have examples.

 

[Hand of Evil]

It helps build the story of the character. It is a way to get the player invested in the character and not just a piece of paper with numbers on it.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Why do people buy modules instead of writing their own?