Wow some of you guys are so defensive over "wanting" the game to be a certain way that you're ignoring real concerns that should be considered. OP raised a couple of good points whether you want to acknowledge it or not. I am hype to see how this will turn out too, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any concerns. For example,
A) 25 to 30 characters, 75 to 90 total variations. That makes it A LOT more likely for some God Tier Soul Caliber Hilde variation to slip in unnoticed, or emerge after the final patch.
B) Patching. Will it be character or variation specific. I'm assuming it would patch the character, so if two variations are fine and one needs a nerf it may destroy the other two variations of that character. Like if the zoning variation of a character needs to be toned downed, so you patch the frame data of a universal move, a couple of strings that are too dominant for a zoning character, a poke, whatever, etc, it may balance the zoning variation but crush the other two that were originally balanced.
C) If it isn't hidden cursor on the variation select screen this will be much worse than expected. WITH a hidden cursor it will encourage people to learn all variations and add massive hype at matches. This will kill the entire idea if not hidden so hopefully it is.
D) Realistically speaking, expanding on A), if there are 75-90 total variations it does not promote balance, it hurts it. It encourages you even more to pick the select few at the top and turns more of the cast to fodder. You don't need to "play the game first" to be smart enough to understand that there won't be 45-50 top tier variations.
These are my main concerns and hopefully they can be ironed out as best as possible before the release day.