I think the point worth considering though is just what EVO airing on ESPN and Disney XD implies. Even if streaming is the future. Even if more people streamed on Twitch than watched on cable (I don't know, I don't have the numbers for both to compare), there's still a significant note here that this stuff is breaking into the mainstream. And if it is, is it perhaps worth considering that a PG approach might be more appropriate?
I'll reiterate that I feel like this is an easily solved problem. Fanservice (or even over the top violence) is not integral to top level competitive play. Tame default outfits shouldn't really be a hindrance to anyone that gives a shit about watching top pros duke it out. I think just having esport/PG mode and normal mode solves this issue entirely.
I think this misses the emotional investment people make in their fighting game character, and in fighting game culture in general.
Characterization has always been one of FG's strongest selling points.
Christ look at SFII, it knocks it out of the park.
The New Challengers are a bit weaker, but Cammy herself is the strongest one and seen as equal to the Original Line up.
I know so many people, who have specific characters, or Archetypes they play. Sometimes it reflects in real life. Gay guys playing sassy femme fatale vamps, girls loving Chun's strength, inherently boring people playing Guile, Daigo literally being Ryu.
Look at the reaction to Abigail, people can't stand the design, it makes them not want to play. They're barely talking the mechanics at all.
That's a truly problematic design from the gen public POV I'd reckon, as it just looks stupid.
Of course, since I'm 20 something years deep, maybe I can't see the wood from the tree when it comes to SF, but honestly, I don't think the main characters are a problem at all in this game.
(Except ken, he pisses off casuals who remember him from childhood. Why is he wearing underarmour")
