The launch of the highly-anticipated action-adventure game Stellar Blade has been marred by controversy over unexpected censorship of some of the game’s character outfits. Despite the developers at ShiftUp previously stating that the game would be uncensored across all markets, a day-one patch introduced changes that covered up or toned down certain outfits worn by the game’s protagonist, Eve.
One outfit that saw significant alteration was a bunny-styled outfit featured in pre-release trailers and promotional materials. The patched version adds an extra layer of clothing, extending the outfit to cover more of Eve’s hips and breasts compared to the original design. Another example highlighted by players shows a swimsuit-like outfit that was made less revealing by incorporating additional fabric.
These last-minute changes directly contradict ShiftUp’s earlier claim from April 21 that Stellar Blade would receive “the same uncensored version” in all countries. Fans who pre-loaded the game before its April 26 release were able to experience the game in its originally intended, uncensored state, only to have that version overwritten by the day-one patch.
The perceived censorship has ignited a fierce backlash from players who feel misled by ShiftUp’s marketing and promotional efforts. A Reddit user shared comparison images illustrating how Eve’s outfits were altered, sparking heated discussions across social media platforms.
In response, a petition demanding the removal of the censorship has already garnered over 6,000 signatures from outraged fans. The #FreeStellarBlade hashtag has also gained traction, with players expressing their disappointment and accusing ShiftUp of false advertising.
“It’s a complete disrespect to the playerbase who was promised an uncensored game,” stated one fan on Twitter. “We were explicitly told there would be no censorship, and now they’ve gone back on their word.”
While ShiftUp has commented on the situation, no clear explanation has been provided for the sudden changes. Some speculate that the developers may have faced external pressure to censor certain content, while others suspect internal decisions were made without consulting the fanbase.
Beyond the outfit alterations, the day-one patch also addressed what ShiftUp referred to as “offensive graffiti” found within the game. However, this aspect of the update has received comparatively little attention amid the broader censorship outcry.
As the controversy continues to escalate, all eyes are on ShiftUp to determine whether they will address fans’ demands to revert to the original, uncensored outfits or maintain their current stance. The situation has reignited long-standing debates surrounding creative freedom, censorship in video games, and the importance of honoring commitments made to consumers during a game’s marketing cycle.
