Another alternative is that they planned 6 characters back in December, but then reduced it to 4. But either way, making sense of the codenames is rather pointless at this rate
But as we've discussed before, six characters merely being planned in an abstract sense would not necessitate adding reference values into the build, especially in a fashion that directly replicates the leak (that they could not have been unaware of) of the previous month--which probably was an accident but demonstrated to them the great cost-benefit value of the viral marketing such a reveal could represent. Nah, I have to say, at this point, the evidence is pretty substantially indicating that those names were placed in there as completely artificial contrivance; there's just no other way at this point to line up all of the evidence in a self-consistent fashion.
But as you say, we can now safely dismiss the codenames as absolutely controlling over who will or will not make the cut for the second season pass, or thereafter. Though the likely candidates mostly stay the same. My money is on: Lizardman/Aeon, the last true series stalwart not yet added, who was already developed to a incomplete state in the base game--a headstart on a character that I can't imagine them not capitalizing upon; Hwang, a major player in the early series lore who has already featured in extended story mode content, and utilizing a weapon as yet completely unrepresented in this game; and Setsuka, probably the most popular character from the SE-SCIII arc who has yet to be featured in the game, who furthermore has a play style that brings something truly unique to the roster.
Of course, with season two now announced, its time for us to begin a 10 months cycle of speculation on whether there will be a season 3, and who will be in that. I'd hope that to be Yun-seong, Li Long, Rock, and either Hilde or a guest (Tifa please!). I'd happily take Viola as well, being a fan of the style, but due to the narrative implications, I'd say that's an outside chance. That the year of illogically assertive and absolutist (but scarcely evidenced) speculation begin!
