I have a co-worker that thinks the game is a competitive 'tournament geared' game. Won't accept me showing him evidence that the creator of the game hates competitive and tournament fighting games. He did not like how every character had several pages long move list and the high skill ceiling. So he designed a fighting game that had a very low skill ceiling, that anyone can pick up and play and do well against people who have spent hours playing.
That the fight system even if you turn off items gives everyone a level playing field despite the skill level.

Similar in a way to how mario kart punishes skilled players in the name of fun because it's no fun when one person dominates. How the game gives out items to people in certain positions in the race etc.

Ah. Thank you.