Stellar Blade has been one of the most highly anticipated games on the PlayStation 5 ever since it was re-revealed at a State of Play event in September 2022 by Sony.
Originally, the project was announced under a working title, Project Eve, with plans to release it on multiplatform. It has since been rebranded into a PS5 exclusive, much to the delight of PS5 owners hungry for more AAA titles on the best-selling platform that aren’t available anywhere else.
Following its earlier delay to 2024, Stellar Blade is generating significant interest due to its protagonist, who boasts a strikingly realistic appearance, all thanks to the advanced digital scanning technology employed by its developers.
🟡Wanna know a fun fact before jumping into #NewYear2024 ?? 🧐
In #StellarBlade, our protagonist Eve body figure was actually based on a 3D scan of the Korean model Shin Jae-eun! 🤯🌟@StellarBlade currently has a release window scheduled for 2024, follow us to stay… pic.twitter.com/TsdkCFBviM
— Stellar Blade/ #NIKKE /Destiny Child/ 🙏 + 🎲 = 🍑 (@ShiftUpWorld) December 31, 2023
Instead of building the protagonist’s model from scratch, Shift Up used a full 3D digital scan of the Korean model, Shin Jae-eun. This was revealed by the fan-run Twitter account ShiftUpWorld, dedicated to updates on Shift Up’s games like Stellar Blade, NIKKE, and Destiny Child. The account shared evidence of the model during a 3D scanning session, which shows the remarkable similarity between Shin Jae-eun and the in-game character, Eve.
This technique of using digital scans of real people is becoming increasingly popular in AAA video games, enhancing character realism. Games like the Like a Dragon franchise have similarly employed this technology, featuring real-life wrestlers and actors digitally scanned into the game. Fans have praised the fidelity of Eve’s likeness to Shin Jae-eun, which is a testament to the technology’s effectiveness.
However, this approach isn’t without potential challenges. Problems like likeness rights, as seen in the Lost Judgement trouble due to its use of Takuya Kimura’s likeness, or complications arising if the real-life model encounters serious and potentially detrimental public relations problems or cuts ties with the developer, are valid concerns. These situations can complicate the use of a character in future DLCs or sequels. In addition to this, the possibility of inappropriate use of a model’s likeness, such as the creation of explicit content, as happened with Ellen Page’s character model in Quantum Dream, is another significant risk.
Moreover, there’s a debate about the necessity and implications of using full body scans, particularly for body types that are not immediately recognizable. While it can be advantageous for marketing and creating chatter among fans, some argue that a model based on photos could suffice, being more cost-effective and less intrusive.
Interestingly enough, in the case of Stellar Blade, it appears developers made certain adjustments to the model’s body, notably in thigh and hip size, and possibly scanned the model in heels, altering the appearance of the legs. The choice reflects an awareness of the target audience’s preferences and expectations for the game.
The use of Shin Jae-eun’s likeness in Stellar Blade represents a fascinating intersection of gaming technology and real-life modeling. It demonstrates how video game developers continue to push the boundaries to create more immersive and realistic gaming experiences. However, it also brings to light the complexities and ethical considerations involved in such technological advancements.
As for the game itself, Stellar Blade’s release has been pushed back to 2024, a decision possibly linked to the developers’ desire to fully leverage the PS5’s capabilities. Despite the delay, the fan anticipation for the game remains high, with the likes of Yoko Taro, director of Nier Automata, expressing interest.
Stellar Blade isn’t the first nor only PS5 exclusive that owners can look forward to playing in 2024. The first one up is The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, which will bring its new and innovative features to the flagship console on January 19.
