Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked controversy 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 portraying Eva in an "awakened" state.
This incident 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 video game trailer. This negative reception contrasts sharply with the success of Stellar Blade, a game whose popularity was largely attributed to Eva's universally admired beauty. Shift Up's original design of Eva was well-received, unlike this newly presented concept art.
