Stellar Blade fans have accused Naughty Dog's character designer of intentionally uglifying Eve

Naughty Dog's concept art for Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, has sparked significant backlash from fans. A designer from the studio shared artwork on X, prompting widespread criticism that the depiction of Eva is unattractive and masculine. Many comments described the design as "ugly" and "terrible," even going so far as to call it "repulsive." Some accused the designer of making Eva appear "awakened," a term often used in online discussions related to perceived alterations to character designs.

This controversy follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The trailer for this sci-fi adventure garnered a record number of dislikes, surpassing even Concord's earlier record.

The negative reaction to the new Eva design stands in stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive reception of Shift Up's original design. The original Eva was a major factor in Stellar Blade's success, becoming a fan favorite due to her widely admired beauty. The new design, therefore, represents a significant departure from a previously well-received aesthetic.