Both seem equally reasonable. The pictures are probably each assigned a slot in the code, right? Just switch a couple numbers for a screenshot and they're hidden. There's probably, what, 84 or so avatars that could be on there? It'd be pathetically easy. And remember the whole "Screen shots on this site are all under development and subject to change."? That pretty much justifies doing that for this very purpose. Maybe more or less quicker than just blurring out a region of the screen depending on the circumstances.
Actually, I had no idea about "Screenshots on this site are all under development and subject to change.", but I just saw it now. Thanks for pointing that out for me, I really thought everything was final.
(Seriously, no joke, I thought that. I'm not too proud to admit it.
)
I guess any arguement I come up with now would be... kinda pointless.
It would also make sense to try and keep them secret for as long as possible but it's almost guaranteed that they'll be leaked before the US release. But...remember when we counted how many red updates remained? There're still quite a few and each veteran or newcomer just brings a handfull more...combined with the inevitable AT, PKMN, Music, and whatnot update, it's hard to imagine fitting in a decent amount of secret characters in the time from now to the release.
Well, just because we counted how many red updates were left, doesn't mean that we need to have them by the game's release. I suppose the only red ones that we
should get by Dec 3 would have to be:
1. All the newcomers' special moves - Which right now totals to 10 updates. (assuming Sakurai will go by twos)
2. Each character's FS - Which right now totals to 10. (11 if Zamus has one)
3. Any of the current veterans' new moves- Which is basically incalculable but if we go by worst case scenario and say that: Kirby has a new dB, Pikachu has a new fB, Samus has a new fB/dB/uB, Zelda has a new nB/dB, Bowser has a new dB/fB/uB, DK has a new fB/uB, Yoshi has a new dB/fB, Peach has a new fB/uB, and the ICs have a new uB/fB/nB. This gives us 9. One for each character.
(Because ALL of these moves are unconfirmed, but most of which I have no doubt will return. Remember, I said "worst case scenario".)
4. If Sheik returns- In which case we'll need her update, any new special moves she has, and her FS.
Total, that's an estimated 32 or 33 at best (or worst, depending on your disposition). We have 47 updates left until Brawl releases, and 48 if we get an update ON Dec 3rd. So I suppose a few secret characters couldn't hurt, especially since there are about 15 days with nothing planned or expected.