I'll preface this by saying that I don't think there's much chance at all of 2.0 version, unless it is jsut a compilation of all of the other changes introduced through ongoing DLC support and regular patching, per my thoughts
here. But instead of reiterating those points here, I feel I can embrace the basic aim of this thread by discussing what I'd like to see added to the SCVI experience, regardless of how it is introduced. These will be roughly, though not necessarily strictly, in descending order of importance, as I see it.
1. More stages: Holy moly is the current state of arenas to fight in an embarrassment, if not an outright affront to the rich tradition of this franchise as regards this area of design. I've said it before and I'll say it again: characters are just one of two elements that players have to look at every single match. We need at least twice as many stages, and for the new ones to be more dynamic and engaging (and indulgent of series archetypes), before this truly feels like a completely worthy Soul Calibur game.
2. More characters: I mean, this one goes without saying, right? Thankfully, I think this is the area we need have least concern about; the indicators seem to suggest to me that the probable, not-quite-confirmed season 2 will flesh out the six stragglers from the classic roster and I wouldn't even rule out additional characters in a third season if the profitability remains roughly consistent for Namco. As to specifics, I'm pretty happy if the season 2 characters are indeed Aeon/Lizardman, Hwang, Li-Long, Rock, Setsuka, and Yun-seong. Beyond that, I'd be eager for the SCIV originals (Algol and Hilde, though I am not a big player of either) to come in, but I'd also be happy with additional guests, original characters (ideally based on more grounded/realistic weapon styles than the anime-fantasy pair we go in the base game) or indeed (highly unlikely as it is as a narrative matter) Viola. Hell, if not for the fact that I don't think they would violate SCVI's continuity to severely, I'd be pleased to see Natsu and Leixia return. More realistically, I think a fully-fleshed out Arthur would be an underappreciated opportunity. And for the love of Pete, PS, just drop Edge Master as the freebie mimic: it's such a no-brainer for a Soul game based on returning to the story and vibe of the first Calibur entry.
3. More CaS: I've disagreed with others on these forums about whether we have gotten decent value for what we've paid in this department, but just because I've found some arguments too demanding and unreasonable does not mean I do not want more: I most certainly do. And I'm willing to pay for it at the rate we have been paying so far. At that cost, I'd happily see the number of wardrobe/armaments items, objects, and other modeled assets doubled or even trippled, with further increases to the number of facial models, hair designs, colour palettes, surface patterns, and other editor elements. And I don't particularly care if they are legacy or new items. I doubt we shall get even a fraction as much by the end of DLC support, but every little bit helps and I appreciate that every other major update now includes freebies. One facet of CaS that I think could use more attention, and yet doesn't get much discussion, is weapons packs: I'd be quite happy to see the addition of 1-3 weapons per style, but in this department I'd be surprised to see any actual increase in content. Lastly, a better system for storing and and exploring community character creations online (such as a searchable archive or a list using the thumb cards) would also be welcome.
4. More modes: Team battle, both single player and multiplayer, online and off. Why did this feature go away after SCII and why has it taken so long to come back? People loved the hell out of it and it would be so easy to add in. Time attack and survival modes should similarly be pretty easy ways to pad out the experience without much work required. Tag modes would also be fun, though of course that would be a substantial change to implement. I also wouldn't mind additional challenge condition maps: we got a fair bit of this in Libra, of course, but I'd actually prefer a stripped down version more similar to Tower of Lost Souls from SCIV, without the tedious and poorly implemented RPG/travel elements from Libra and more of an emphasis on environmental conditions (such as we had in SCII and SCIII and to a lesser extent what we have in Libra and custom matches in SCVI) than character buffs/debuffs, as were more prominent in Libra. What the hell, if we're imagingining our perfect upgrade, even the return of the exhibition theater would be nice, complete with the ability to sub in your own creations for a demonstration/kata of a given style.
5. An improved online experience: optimization of the netcode; improvement in the transparency, reliability, and options in the matchmaking; better lobbies with multi-match and a return of the ability to quickly arrange network voice chat and/or type full messages (leave the presets in though, they'd remain useful); indeed the return of something like the Coliseo would be fine and would address some the functionality gaps raised above, though not all.
6. Further refinement of the balance: You know, I'm a lot less annoyed with RE than I was since the last nerf, but I could still stand to see it grant a small amount of Soul Charge to the non-initiating opponent (or steal it from the initiator even) if they win the clash, and anyway to grant a little less meter in general even when initiator wins the clash. That ought to complete it's transformation to a more neutral mechanic. In general, I think the tiers could use some more flattening, but that's too complex a can of worms to open in this thread.
7. Deeper training mode options: An alternative endless stage for training purposes would be nice, as would the ability to train in any stage. Frame data for all moves: FFS, Project Soul, no we do not "enjoy" compiling this information ourselves. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with the bells and whistles contained in the standard training mode these days. But a return of Olcadan's training arena, in which all of the general and character specific play instructions and strategy suggestions (currently available only in prose instructions in the extras menu) are integrated (similar to what was done in SCIII, but much bigger, and similar to what most other fighters are doing these days), would also be pretty choice
8. The remaining legacy soundtracks added in: I'd be surprised if this one isn't in the works already. Indeed, the conspicuous absence of SCIV and SCV music from the first season pass was probably the final point of confirmation we would need, if any longer in doubt, that a second season was coming.
That's about all I can think about right now. What, "too much as is"? Well Nyte made the mistake of asking a question I've been doing entirely too much thinking about as is--blame him!