Naughty Dog's concept artist sparked controversy after sharing artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, on X. The depiction, deemed unattractive by many fans, portrayed Eva with masculine features, prompting widespread criticism. Comments flooded the post, labeling the design as "ugly," "terrible," and even "repulsive." Many accused the artist of presenting an "awakened" version of the character.
This incident follows similar criticism leveled at Naughty Dog for incorporating DEI elements into their recently unveiled game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The game's trailer garnered a record number of dislikes, surpassing even Concord's previous record. This negative reception stands in stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive response to Stellar Blade's original Eva design, which was instrumental in the game's success. The original, created by Shift Up, was widely praised for its appealing aesthetic. The new design, by comparison, has been met with significant backlash.
