Sony's Stellar Blade removes controversial phrase ahead of final release

High ratings and positive reviews

Sony's upcoming exclusive game, Stellar Blade, has been generating excitement among PlayStation players, with reviews praising its fast-paced combat and fluid gameplay. Despite receiving an impressive 82 rating on Metacritic, some reviewers raised concerns about the game's characters and storyline.

Unintentional controversy

Prior to the game's official release, screenshots circulated showing a questionable graffiti in the game world that featured the word 'hard' near the 'R Shop' sign. This unintentionally created a phrase that could be interpreted as a racial slur.

Sony's response

Sony swiftly addressed the issue, acknowledging that the placement of the graphics was accidental and not intended to be offensive. The developers, Shift Up, promptly replaced the controversial graffiti with a new design through a Day 1 patch, ensuring that the phrase would no longer be present in the final version of the game.

Cultural awareness

Given that Shift Up is a South Korean studio, it is suggested that the misunderstanding of the phrase was unintentional, as it may not have been familiar with the cultural implications of the wording.

Final thoughts

As Stellar Blade prepares for its official release on April 26, 2024, players can rest assured that the potentially offensive imagery has been addressed and rectified. Sony's proactive response underscores their commitment to ensuring a respectful gaming experience for all players.