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, suggesting a deliberate shift away from her original, widely praised design.
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 garnered a record number of dislikes. The negative reception to the new Eva design contrasts sharply with the positive response to her original appearance in Stellar Blade, a game whose success was largely attributed to her universally appealing beauty. The Shift Up studio's original design of Eva was a significant factor in the game's popularity. The shift in aesthetic appears to be a continuation of a trend that has drawn considerable criticism.
