Stellar Blade isn't exactly shy about what it is. You play as a scantily clad android (there's even a bunny one-piece) with some overt jiggle physics as you hack and slash your way through an assortment of flesh monsters. Let's call a spade a spade: it's a gounder game. So, when the sequel was announced last night at Summer Game Fest, it's no surprise that people were a little weirded out that newcomer Evie looked like a 12-year-old.
“I hate this character design so much I thought he was a kid at the beginning of the trailer,” said @ElitaStrife.
“I'm so sorry but that new Stellar Blade Protag has a baby face,” said @AbstractSavior.
It amazes me to see that — u/masonisagreatname.
“I'm sorry but I find it absolutely horrifying that a character from the new Stellar Blade has child-like features in some of the screenshots,” reads a similar post by @GaaryWlrd.
“I really thought she was 12”
While many find the new character design deeply offensive, Common Names is defending the look as a win for 'attractive' female representation, completely dismissing concerns about Evie's adolescent and child characteristics. It's also drawn comparisons to Faye in the recently revealed God of War: Laufey, which some gamers have called “God of War: Laundry” (complete with super sexist AI mock-ups) as they try to convince us that Deborah Ann Woll is, of all people, ugly. In fact, if you read these posts, you'll find many comments that attempt to dismiss Evie criticism by calling the critics “sick”.
One look at gaming forums like X or Reddit, however, and you'll see countless posts from people who were disgusted by the reveal, calling for a shift up to make the model look more age-appropriate. Obviously, this is a problem. “It's so amazing how baby-like his face is,” u/Weird-Cookie-2207 commented on the viral post, joking how the team recycled a literal baby from Resident Evil Village. “Disgusting and vile,” said u/SquidicusBobicus. “I really thought she was 12 at first glance,” u/scott1swann replied.
Of course, there is the possibility that the facial model may have softer and younger facial features, and this is not a deliberate attempt by the developers to sexualize the child-like design. However, his presence does not exist in a vacuum. Within the wider gaming culture, there remains a deep-embedded normalization of the lollipop trope and an obsession with female characters appearing in growing childhoods. Consequently, even if the developers' creative intent is benign, reinforcing this culture, which conflates youth with sex appeal, is inherently problematic. And if you don't believe there is a lollipop culture, then we can forget that the Pragmata subreddit was banned for actual child sexualization.
- issued
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April 26, 2024
- ESRB
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M for mature
- developer(s)
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shift up
- publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
