More DLC
I guess I'll interpret this as more characters outside of PP and the 5 from the Fighters Pass
Chance: 15%
I actually wouldn't be too surprised if Nintendo had already decided before launch that the Fighters Pass would be the only DLC in terms of characters. They seemed to talk about it as if it was the main plan; I think that they wanted to be clear about how many fighters they were gonna add from the start, so that people know what to expect. Of course, it's possible that they change their minds, but such a course correction would potentially be more of a hassle than they think it'd be worth. I don't know how well the Fighters Pass is selling, but even if it does well I don't think they'll necessarily make more DLC. Maybe Nintendo is just ready to put their resources into other games. More characters beyond the current packs definitely has potential to be profitable for them, and we're also in a unique situation of Smash being released earlier in the console's lifetime, but it just sounded to me like the Fighters Pass was their way of laying out all the DLC from the beginning, at least in terms of characters.
Want: 0%
Don't get me wrong; I'd like more characters and don't have an issue with the number there are. The main problem with more DLC for me is that, at this point in time, it's pretty clear to me that the types of characters that fit Nintendo's model for DLC are not usually the types of characters that I'd like to see added. In the base game, there's more room to add a few throwback and less "relevant" characters, plus less pressure on each and every character to be able to fit into Nintendo's marketing plan and generate sales (these pressures still exist in the base game, but not to the same degree). I'm also already prepared to wait for Smash 6 for more characters, as the frontrunners for DLC this time around are generally unappealing to me aside from a select few (and even those are not among my absolute highest choices). Ultimate is a good game overall, and it will suffice as the go-to Smash game for quite a while, but it suffered from an overblown marketing gimmick that threw off the roster balance. I'm okay with waiting until the next console generation when the roster will likely have to be built from scratch, hopefully ensuring that each character, vet or newcomer, is evaluated based on their own merits. It's actually pretty exciting to revert to thinking about the raw potential that a brand-new roster can carry. We don't know how far away Smash 6 is, but we do know, assuming it's made at some point, that there is a lot that can happen between now and then. There's time for the revival of a couple long-neglected franchises, some characters finally being old enough to classify as "retro," new games and even whole IPs to be created, and other characters who are recent now to have the chance to extend their legacy. Maybe Sakurai will retain his role for another game, or maybe we'll get another director to wipe the slate even more clean. There's a lot of good things that can come to fruition, and I hope at least some of them do. Right now I'm rerouting my Smash speculation focus towards the next game, which I consider to be a much better opportunity for most of the characters I'd like to see join the battle. I will, however, add that I haven't completely given up on DLC; this rating could potentially shoot way higher based on one or two good character reveals. But as of now, it's hard to go higher. Perhaps a score of zero is a bit harsh as I would like more DLC if it's quality stuff, but I'm not confident in its quality as of now.