Shift Up has unveiled a new look at protagonist Evie in the upcoming expansion Stellar Blade: Blood Rain by releasing an original K-pop music video. Titled “Wanna be in LOVE” featuring EVIE, the promotional clip showcases the new main character performing an original song ahead of the expansion's release. However, the release has quickly divided fans due to its reliance on artificial intelligence.
On Shift Up's official YouTube channel, the studio explicitly noted that the video was "made with AI" and that "sounds or visuals were altered or fully generated" using the technology. The video was also shared by Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung Tae on X, prompting varied reactions from the gaming community.
Fan Reaction to AI Visuals in the Stellar Blade: Blood Rain Video
Several players pointed out inconsistent facial expressions and animation effects in the video. Some expressed disappointment, stating they would have preferred hand-animated visuals that aligned with the core quality of the franchise. Conversely, other fans praised the song itself and Evie's character design, noting that the video offers an early look at town environments featured in the sequel.
Rather than utilizing a traditional character trailer, Shift Up introduced Evie through a standalone music video format resembling a real-world K-pop debut. The video depicts Evie eating Buldak, establishing her personality and style before players experience her narrative role directly in Stellar Blade: Blood Rain.