Do you even remember SFV launch?
What information do you exactly have regarding SF6's launch? SF5 launched in the state that it did because Sony partially funded it to get it out earlier.
But even then what's your definition of "barebones"? Not having all the superfluous modes from like a Mortal Kombat?
I play fighting games to fight, so I only really care about Training mode, Versus mode and Online lobbies. I'd say the only thing that was really missing was "arcade mode", so the game was never "barebones" to me.
But I digress because, again, what information do you have regarding SF6's launch?
The things we actually know are that it's not Sony funded, there's no exclusivity, there's concept art for 22 characters + 2 more in the trailer (damnd, li-fen), they've shown off a bunch of single player modes/hubs already, custom commentary options, and accessibility options like easy inputs; far more than launch SF5 already, so again, where are you getting this "barebones game" information from? You're like the only one here that got that vibe from what they've shown so far.
But my main issue is the GaaS stuff with DLC characters.
There's no other viable option for fighting games, sorry. If you want to go back to big paid updates that splinter the userbase you're insane.
By maintaining one product it guarantees the player pool is always at the maximum amount, because nobody is walled off from playing with people on different versions.
The only way to keep fighting games properly alive for years is to keep adding characters, doing via new versions during the arcade, cartridge, and early disc days was fine, because that was really only way to do it, but that way hasn't made sense for a long, long time.
And just for reference:
SF2 launched with 8 characters
SFA launched with 13
SFEX launched with 17
SF3 launched with 12
SF4 launched with 16 in the arcade, and then they added a few more and made bosses playable for a total of 25 on the home release a year later.
SF5 launched with 16
SF6 starting off with potentially 24 is already far better than any previous entry.