Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked controversy after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. The design, deemed unattractive by many fans, depicted Eva with a masculine appearance, prompting widespread criticism. Comments overwhelmingly described the new portrayal as ugly and repulsive, with accusations that the artist had made Eva appear "awakened."
This incident 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 controversy further fuels concerns about the studio's design choices.
The original design of Eva, created by Shift Up, was a significant factor in Stellar Blade's success earlier this year. Her universally appealing beauty contributed greatly to the game's popularity, creating a stark contrast to the negatively received redesign.