Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked a heated debate among fans after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. The artwork depicted a markedly different, more masculine interpretation of Eva, prompting a wave of negative feedback. Many comments described the design as unattractive, ugly, and even repulsive, with some suggesting the artist had portrayed an "awakened" version of the character.
This controversy comes on the heels of similar criticism leveled at Naughty Dog for the inclusion of what many perceived as excessive DEI content in their recently unveiled 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 significant factor in the game's success, with her beauty earning widespread praise and contributing to her popularity among players. The stark contrast between the original and the newly presented design highlights the sensitivity surrounding character design and fan expectations.
