Isn't the whole "wasteful" aspect just mean you're assuming it somehow means they had to cut corners? but there is no proof of that and how could it when this is a feature that was planned from the beginning.
I have argued in the past in length that "Origin" system hurts both writing for our Protagonist, and our Companions. I would be happy for Larian to prove me wrong, and for BG3 have both customisable, expressive and compelling player character, and a great cast companion, but at the moment both are plagued with issues which I personally trace to "because the origin system will exist". Larian clearly pours money and resources into the project, but that won't solve issues that come with creative decisions. Larian's decision to keep doing origins, cuts deeply into what some players, including myself, consider core of an RPG experience. If a design makes writing protagonist and companions more difficult, in an RPG, I think that decision needs to be reconsidered... it's obviously too late for that, but not too late to express dislike for that decision.
You should try it out. there is no good reason to ignore a different way to play the game purely out of ignorance. It's always better to just have an open mind just to see the value in something different and gain a new perspective. no one is making you not make your own character.
I did in D:OS2, mostly because custom character experience was barren. While custom character is far better in BG3 it still seems to have adapted many same issues as D:OS2. I suspect Origin system will likewise don't escape the issues of D:OS2.
There are RPGs with player made characters. There are RPGs with defined, pre-made characters. Larian wants both, and as it is usually the case when pursuing two conflicting designs, they are in a real danger of not taking full advantage of either approaches.
