Shift Up's AI music video for Stellar Blade: criticism and CEO Kim Hyung Tae's defense

In short

• On July 31, 2026, Shift Up released an AI-generated music video for the game Stellar Blade: Blood Rain.
• The video, centered on the character EVIE, drew heavy criticism from players over its quality and use of AI.
• CEO Kim Hyung Tae defended the video, saying EVIE was based on human artists' designs and was not created entirely by AI.

GAME-scanner analysis

The launch of the music video sparked a wave of criticism across the gaming community. Players are concerned that using AI instead of traditional animation and music production could undermine the quality of creative work. Critics pointed to specific issues in the video, including nonsensical lyrics and inconsistencies in the visuals. Kim Hyung Tae stressed that AI is only a tool and that creating EVIE took more than a year. The controversy could damage Shift Up's reputation and affect player expectations for future releases. Reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly negative, with some players even calling the video "AI slop." This raises questions about the role of human creativity in the game industry and whether AI is a valuable addition or a threat to authentic artistic expression.

What does this mean for players?

Players are worried that the use of AI in the game industry could lead to a decline in the quality and authenticity of creative work. The negative response to the music video may affect how Shift Up is perceived and could put future releases at risk. It is crucial for developers to take their community's concerns seriously, especially as the debate over AI in gaming becomes more relevant. The backlash could also have wider industry implications, as other developers may become more cautious about using AI technologies. The question remains whether players are willing to accept AI-generated content, especially if it does not meet the high standards they are used to.