Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked controversy after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. The depiction, deemed unattractive by many fans, portrayed Eva with masculine features, prompting a wave of negative feedback. Comments overwhelmingly criticized the design as "ugly" and "terrible," with some even describing it as "repulsive." Several commenters suggested the design intentionally presented an "awakened" version of Eva.
This incident follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog for incorporating explicit DEI content into their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The game's trailer garnered a record number of dislikes, surpassing even Concord's earlier record. This contrasts sharply with the overwhelmingly positive reception of Stellar Blade's original Eva design, which was a significant factor in the game's success. The original Eva, celebrated for her beauty, was a universal fan favorite. The stark difference between the original Shift Up design and the new concept art highlights a significant shift in artistic direction and a potential disconnect with fan expectations.
