Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked a backlash after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. Fans overwhelmingly criticized the design, deeming it unattractive and masculine, with many comments describing it as "ugly" and "terrible." The artwork was widely considered repulsive, and some accused the artist of portraying Eva in an "awakened" state.
This negative reaction follows recent controversy surrounding Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a game whose trailer holds the record for most dislikes. The contrast is striking, considering the original Stellar Blade, released earlier this year by Shift Up, was a massive success largely attributed to Eva's universally praised beauty. Shift Up's design of Eva was warmly received, unlike this new, negatively-received interpretation. The incident highlights the potential for significant fan backlash when established character designs undergo drastic alterations.
