Stellar Blade Developer Addresses Criticism of Eve Artwork by Naughty Dog Artist

Hyoung Taek Nam, a talented character concept designer at Naughty Dog, recently found himself in the spotlight for a piece of fan art he created featuring Eve, the main character from the game Stellar Blade. This artwork was shared by the game’s social media account on X (formerly known as Twitter), where it sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some criticized Nam’s interpretation, calling it “ugly” and “revolting.” In response to this wave of criticism, Stellar Blade’s developer, Shift Up, showcased more of Nam’s artistic interpretations.

In a show of support for fan creativity, the Stellar Blade team emphasized that they “always welcome” fan art. The criticism surrounding Nam’s work wasn’t really about the quality of the art itself. It seemed more like a case of online trolls disliking his unique portrayal of Eve. Nam’s piece featured Eve in an intense battle with a creature known as Naytiba, showcasing his distinctive style.

Nam’s association with Naughty Dog added another layer to the conversation. The studio is known for its realistic art style, and some trolls mistakenly equate this realism with certain social agendas. Therefore, it wasn’t particularly shocking that Nam’s Eve would attract such unwarranted critique.

A few days after the uproar, the team behind Stellar Blade posted another of Nam’s illustrations. This time, they revealed a portrait of Eve with a softer, more nuanced touch. Accompanying this new piece was a thoughtful message addressing the earlier criticism, expressing gratitude for Nam’s contribution and highlighting the value of artistic style diversity.

Shift Up graciously acknowledged, “Artist Nam Hyoung Taek has once again drawn Eve for us. We’re very grateful for this, but we always welcome fan art in the style of the previous one.” They further elaborated on the beauty of fan art, noting that it’s normal for such pieces to reflect the artist’s unique style rather than the original, which is an essential and delightful part of artistic expression.

Stellar Blade made its debut in April exclusively on the PS5 and has since received a series of updates, including enhancements for the PS5 Pro and a special crossover DLC with Nier: Automata.