The First Descendant Faces Backlash Over AI-Generated Ads Mimicking Real Streamers

6 Sources

Nexon's looter-shooter game The First Descendant is under fire for using AI-generated advertisements on TikTok that mimic real streamers, raising ethical concerns and sparking community outrage.

AI-Generated Ads Spark Controversy

Nexon's free-to-play looter-shooter, The First Descendant, has found itself at the center of a controversy over its use of AI-generated advertisements on TikTok. These ads, featuring digital clones of streamers, have sparked outrage within the gaming community due to their uncanny appearance and potential ethical implications 1.

Source: Eurogamer

Source: Eurogamer

Uncanny Valley of AI Influencers

The AI-generated ads showcase digital humans promoting The First Descendant's latest content updates. However, viewers quickly noticed peculiarities in these "streamers," including unnatural mouth movements, odd pronunciations, and exaggerated expressions 2. One particularly controversial ad appears to mimic the likeness of a real content creator, DanieltheDemon, raising questions about consent and the ethical use of AI in marketing 3.

Community Backlash and Concerns

The gaming community's response has been overwhelmingly negative. Players have expressed concerns that these AI-generated ads make the game appear "fake" or potentially fraudulent 2. Many argue that using AI influencers instead of real content creators is a "kick in the teeth" to the game's existing community, especially considering Nexon's creator program boasts over 8,800 members 5.

Nexon's Response and Controversy

Source: pcgamer

Source: pcgamer

In response to the backlash, Nexon released a statement on social media, citing "irregularities" in their TikTok Creative Challenge for creators. The company attempted to shift some blame onto TikTok's verification process for copyright violations 4. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism, as it fails to address how such obviously AI-generated content was approved and distributed as official advertising.

Implications for the Gaming Industry

This incident raises important questions about the future of game marketing and the potential misuse of AI technology. As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, there are concerns about the authenticity of influencer marketing and the potential for exploiting real content creators' likenesses without their consent 3.

The First Descendant's Rocky History

Source: gamesradar

Source: gamesradar

It's worth noting that this is not the first controversy surrounding The First Descendant. At launch, the game faced accusations of copying icons from Destiny 2, leading to their removal after significant backlash 5. This latest incident with AI-generated ads adds to the game's troubled history and may further damage its reputation among potential players.

As the gaming industry grapples with the rapid advancement of AI technology, the controversy surrounding The First Descendant serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical considerations and potential pitfalls of using AI in game marketing and promotion.

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