Shift Up CTO Clarifies Stellar Blade Developer's Stance on AI After Blood Rain Music Video Controversy

Shift Up CTO DongKi Lee has clarified how the studio used AI after backlash over Stellar Blade: Blood Rain’s AI-generated “Wanna be in Love” music video. The video, which follows Blood Rain’s protagonist Evie as she sings and moves through the game’s futuristic world, drew criticism from players who accused the company of replacing human artists. Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung Tae previously said AI only renders and presents a character based on data, designs, and craftsmanship created by the team. In a Sept. 2 interview with TheGamer, Lee said the music video was “experimental,” intended to show the game’s world and Evie, not official content, and that AI should be used only as a “tool” supporting developers’ creativity.