The term "build" referst to a specifically planned character development - youbasically plan - before you play, or atz least from early in the beginning on - what kind of character you want to play - and
then you distribute the skill points and experience points etc. according to that plan.
Several "builds" develop over time, though. Because since when a game is new, no-one (at least no-one of the players
- the developrs might know this, actually
) knows where a certain kind of character development (read : distribution of skill points, experience points tc.) might lead to. So, this is tested and developed almost entirely by the players themselves - and *they* are those who develop certain language.
Please note that the term "build" is ONLY common in action-oriented role-playing games !
Non-action oriented role-playing games (like Drakensang 2, for example) DO OT have the term of a "build". Non-action oriented role-playing games rely usually to a far broarder distribution of skill points, experience points etc. ,
and on the opposite in action-oriented role-playing games one us usually ONLY successful b narrowing the view and concentrating on a few skills alone. A brioad distribution of skill points, experience points etc. just makes ANY action-oriented game considerably hrder, or even totally impossible.
Action-oriented role-playing games and non-action, but still enormously combat-oriented role-playing games (like Icewind Dale) rely on theremise of (as I call it) "I fight, therefore I play a role".
Non-action oriented role-playing games and generally not combart-oriented role-playing games RATHER take the tem of "playing a role" (like an actior in the thatre !) more literally.
You can tell an action-oriented game or any combat-oriented game from any non-action-oriented by simply by the complete lack of social interaction skills any combat- or action-oriented game has.
Mind-reading like in Divinity 2 is an exception of this rule.
As is the reputation system of Divinity 1.
If you are a "complete" newbie in the role-playing field altogether5, then yxou might be interested (perhaps, I don't know, of course) in "The SIMs Medieval". Seriously. I plan to play it one day, too.
Another example would be the rather action-oriented, but still adventure-heavy role-playing game of "Venetica".
Not to mention "Drakensang 2", of which I'm a fan
, or the more combat-oriented Drakensang 1.
And a side-note to all those who would like to burn me like an evil witcher because I mentioned "The SIMs Medieval" : I don't care what you think of me. Not at all. Someone of 41 years (like me) has other things to think about than some immature flame-wars. So save your breath and energy for the imho excellent Divinity 2 game instead.
I *do* like social interaction in games - and I'm quite an outsider in that respect.
(But I've never bought any SIMs game so far, I must admit.)
