Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked controversy after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. The design, depicting a more masculine appearance, drew overwhelmingly negative feedback. Fans flooded the comments section, labeling the artwork as unattractive, ugly, and even repulsive. Many accused the artist of deliberately creating a less appealing, "awakened" version of the character.
This incident follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The trailer for this sci-fi adventure garnered a record number of dislikes, surpassing even Concord's earlier record.
The original design of Eva in Stellar Blade, created by Shift Up, was a major factor in the game's success, earning widespread praise for its aesthetic appeal. The stark contrast between the original and the newly shared concept art highlights the significant difference in reception. The negative reaction underscores the importance of character design in impacting a game's overall success and fan engagement.