The Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken is getting a dozen extra characters, to be added to the console versions eventually as downloadable content. But apparently the characters are already on the disc, Capcom has confirmed.

The controversy began when EventHubs (via Kotaku) dug out intros of the various characters from a console version. Those videos were pulled due to a copyright claim from Capcom, but the presence of the videos led to speculation that the characters are already on the disc.

Capcom has since confirmed the on-disc characters, offering an official statement:

Capcom has confirmed that 12 new fan-favorite characters will be available as Downloadable Content (DLC) on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of Street Fighter X Tekken later this year. The playable characters will make their debut on the PS Vita system when the game is released this fall, with the console and PC versions receiving them as DLC soon after. The character information and files were intentionally included on retail versions of the PS3 and Xbox 360 game to save hard drive space and to ensure for a smooth transition when the DLC is available, allowing players who choose not to purchase the content the ability to play against players that did. More specifics regarding pricing, dates and other additional exciting DLC plans for Street Fighter X Tekken will be shared at a later date. As a reminder, the retail version of the game will be the only disc-based version consumers will need to own and all future upgrades will come from post-launch DLC.

Separately, community manager Brett Elston suggests this will help Capcom avoid releasing a "Super" version of the game. "And while pricing details are still to come, I can at least say it'll be a great value considering the size of the update - 12 new characters is pretty substantial, after all," he said.

The on-disc DLC "release" schedule will begin on PS3 on launch day. PlayStation Blog reveals that the PlayStation-exclusive characters Cole, Toro, and Kuro will be available on the disc on launch day. Mega Man and Pac-Man will be added as free downloadable content on March 13. The extra dozen characters coming in the Vita version include Elena, Guy, Cody, Sakura, Dudley, Blanka, Alisa, Christie, Jack, Bryan, Lars, and Lei.

On-disc DLC tends to ignite controversy. Capcom may have had the best of intentions with including these dozen characters on the disc, and even created a separate budget for it, but that's unlikely to silence annoyed fans.