Stellar Blade 2 Unveils AI-Generated Music Video, Fans React with Disappointment: “This AI Slop Isn’t It”

Kim Hyung-tae, the director of the upcoming game Stellar Blade and the founder of its developer, Shift Up, has reached out to fans for their feedback on a new AI-generated music video featuring the game’s protagonist, Evie. Unfortunately, the reception has been less than favorable.

The music video titled “Wanna be in LOVE” featuring Evie was released recently, and the team has been transparent about its AI origins. The YouTube description clearly states “Made with AI” and notes that “Sounds or visuals were altered or fully generated.” It’s evident that AI played a significant role, especially since Evie’s appearance varies dramatically from one frame to the next.

Further evidence of the AI’s shortcomings can be seen in the nonsensical text scattered throughout the video. For instance, the vending machine Evie gazes into displays phrases like “Preduet Spee,” “Refiil Natice,” and the amusing “Custemef Service.” There’s also a moment where Evie leans against a bookshelf filled with unrecognizable titles, including one that seems to reference Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, albeit misspelled as “Meaiiatations.”

Fans are expressing their disappointment with the direction taken by the CEO. One user commented, “You need to stop using Gen AI to promote Stellar Blade. The backlash will be horrible for the IP and it will not be reversible.” Another chimed in, “Who the heck likes this garbage? Shift Up’s music composition was one of their best qualities; this isn’t it.”

Twitch streamer BasedLEDA voiced frustration as well, stating, “I seriously do not understand this guy’s obsession with garbage when he’s got such a talented team of actual creators. What are you trying to prove with this slop? I loved Stellar Blade and its beautiful soundtrack, then I got into Nikke and realized how amazing this guy’s team is, only for him to push this slop on my timeline. I’m afraid that Stellar Blade: Blood Rain might be full of this nonsense. It’s so over.”

The top comment on the YouTube video summed it up succinctly: “They really thought they were cooking with this AI slop.”

While the backlash is disappointing, it’s not entirely unexpected. In a January interview, Kim Hyung-tae praised AI, claiming that “one person can perform the work of 100 people” with the technology. He noted that while his team consists of around 150 people for a single game, competitors in China often deploy between 1,000 to 2,000, making it challenging to compete in terms of quality and content volume.