Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked a backlash online after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. Fans overwhelmingly criticized the design, deeming it unattractive and masculine, with many comments labeling it "ugly" and "terrible." The artwork was widely considered repulsive, and some accused the artist of depicting Eva in an "awakened" state.
This controversy follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi adventure whose trailer holds the record for most dislikes on a gaming video. This negative reception contrasts sharply with the success of Stellar Blade earlier this year. The game's popularity was largely attributed to Eva's conventionally attractive design, which was widely praised by players. The new design, a stark departure from Shift Up's original, has clearly failed to resonate with the fanbase.
