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 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. The negative reception contrasts sharply with the positive response to Shift Up's original design of Eva, whose beauty was a significant factor in Stellar Blade's success earlier this year. The original Eva was universally praised for her appealing appearance. The shift in design appears to be a continuation of a concerning trend for the studio.
