Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked a heated online debate after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. Fans overwhelmingly criticized the design, deeming it unattractive and masculine, with many comments labeling it "ugly" and "terrible." The artwork was widely considered repulsive, and some accused the artist of portraying Eva in an "awakened" state.
This controversy follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The game's trailer garnered a record number of dislikes, surpassing even Concord's earlier record. This latest incident further fuels concerns about the studio's creative direction.
The initial success of Stellar Blade was largely attributed to Eva's universally appealing design. Shift Up's original portrayal of Eva was a significant factor in the game's popularity, contrasting sharply with the negative reception of the newly released concept art.
