Shift Up announced Stellar Blade: Blood Rain at Summer Game Fest on June 5. The reveal has prompted online accusations that parts of the trailer and key art were generated with AI tools.
The game is a sequel to the 2024 title Stellar Blade. Several users on X highlighted Chinese characters in the footage that appear nonsensical and background buildings with irregular features. Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim shared official key art on his social accounts. Observers noted inconsistencies such as oddly rendered windows on structures. Kim previously endorsed AI use at a January 2026 conference. He stated that one person can perform the work of 100 people with the technology and cited competitive pressures from larger Chinese development teams. Kotaku contacted Shift Up for comment but received no immediate response.