Shift Up, the studio behind Stellar Blade and its upcoming sequel Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, has faced significant criticism from its player base following the release of an official music video titled "Wanna Be in Love." The video, which features the sequel's protagonist Evie, utilizes AI-generated imagery, a decision that has prompted widespread backlash on social media and gaming forums.
Details of the AI Controversy
The music video confirms the use of generative technology in its small print, stating: "This video was created using the Game resource from Stellar Blade: Blood Rain and regenerated with AI support." Additionally, the end of the video displays logos for Shift Up’s Second Eve Studio and AI Labs.
Fans have expressed frustration, suggesting that the studio should prioritize its in-house artists and programmers rather than using generative tools. Common sentiments among the community include concerns that the practice devalues the work of the studio's human staff and that the resulting visual quality is subpar despite the studio's available resources.
Context on AI in South Korean Media
The use of generative AI in this promotional material follows a broader trend within South Korea, which has reported a rapid adoption of the technology. High-profile K-Pop music videos have increasingly combined real recorded footage with AI generation over the past few years.
Despite the backlash, the music video concludes with outtakes that appear to show a human production crew interacting with an AI-generated version of Evie. Stellar Blade: Blood Rain remains in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, though an official release date has not yet been announced.