Stellar Blade’s Developer Acknowledges Fan Concerns About AI, Emphasizes Its Role in Crafting Quality Games

Steller Blade: Blood Rain made waves at Summer Game Fest, but the excitement has been somewhat eclipsed by the backlash surrounding a generative AI music video featuring the protagonist, Evie, released by Shift Up in July. Each time a studio executive addresses the situation, it seems to escalate further.

In a recent interview, Chief Technology Officer DongKi Lee addressed the fan reactions. He aimed to strike a balanced tone, attempting to separate the upcoming game from the AI video while acknowledging player concerns about the potential dilution of their beloved projects. He also defended generative AI as a valuable tool that can enhance game development when used responsibly.

Lee stated:

“The reason we revealed that music video was to showcase more of the beauty of Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. We wanted to highlight the world and the character Evie. Our goal was simply to provide a deeper look at both, which we included as part of our content.”

He continued, emphasizing the importance of fan feedback:

“We take the fans’ concerns seriously. Moving forward, we want to clearly distinguish between game-related content and what we consider experimental content, like what we are currently exploring.”

He elaborated on the role of AI in game development:

“AI has a significant influence on game development. However, when utilizing certain technologies or tools, the key is the direction and purpose they serve. They should enhance the creativity, expertise, and skills of our developers. It should function as a tool aimed at creating a high-quality game.”

Lee’s comments were certainly more tempered compared to the earlier, more defensive stance taken by CEO and director Kim Hyung Tae. He had previously stated, “The AI is not creating her from scratch. It is rendering and presenting the character based on the data, designs, and craftsmanship our team created. We would truly appreciate it if you could view the work with that understanding in mind.”

Despite Lee’s more thoughtful approach, the controversy remains unresolved. One user humorously remarked on X, “Next time someone tries to kill me for a tweet I make, I’ll just tell them it was ‘experimental content.’” Another pointed out, “You know you could just do that by making a proper trailer, like literally every game company has done, right?”

With the current climate of heightened concern over generative AI in gaming, some fans are demanding a clear ban on any AI-generated content in Steller Blade: Blood Rain. However, Shift Up appears to be committed to exploring AI’s potential in their projects.