Naughty Dog’s talented character concept designer, Hyoung Taek Nam, has recently been the subject of some backlash for fan art they crafted of Eve, the main character of Stellar Blade. When this artwork was shared by the official Twitter, now known as X, for the game, some fans were quick to label Nam’s interpretation as “ugly” and “revolting.” In a move to address these criticisms, Shift Up, the game’s developer, shared more of Nam’s artwork.
Stellar Blade’s developers have made it clear they “always welcome” fan interpretations. The backlash that hit Nam’s initial piece didn’t really question the quality but was more about the fans’ personal takes on the depiction of Eve. Their fan art, which features Eve taking on a Naytiba, caught some unfounded heat from internet trolls who simply didn’t agree with Nam’s vision.
Part of the reaction might be linked to Nam’s association with Naughty Dog, a studio known for its realistic art style. A certain faction of critics often perceives any realistic touch as aligning with ‘woke’ culture, leading to the unfortunate but predictably harsh comments.
Shortly after the controversy, the Stellar Blade team shared another piece from Nam, this time showcasing a softer portrait of Eve. Alongside the art, they posted a thoughtful response addressing the spate of negativity, emphasizing the role of artistic style in fan art.
Shift Up’s message stated, “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,” which they proudly shared on their social media. Their post continued to underscore that it’s not unusual for fan art to carry more of an artist’s unique style than the original work, a creative liberty they consider both important and delightful.
For fans of Stellar Blade, which hit the shelves in April exclusively for the PS5, the game continues to evolve with numerous updates since its release. These include enhancements for the PS5 Pro and an exciting crossover DLC with Nier: Automata, keeping the game fresh and engaging for its players.
