The First Descendant's AI Influencer Ads: Did Nexon Just Summon the Uncanny Valley?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Nexon's AI influencer ads for *The First Descendant* have sparked major backlash, with gamers calling the 'uncanny' creations 'cringe' and disrespectful to real creators, prompting Nexon to reportedly rethink their controversial marketing strategy.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're trying to cast a super cool, game-changing spell, and instead of a glorious burst of arcane energy, you just… summon a wobbly, slightly off-kilter pigeon? Yeah, well, it seems Nexon might have had a similar magical mishap with their latest marketing push for *The First Descendant*.
Now, for those who’ve been tinkering in other digital realms, *The First Descendant* is that snazzy co-op looter-shooter that launched back in June 2024, pulling in millions of players faster than a wizard can say 'Expelliarmus!' It’s currently deep into its third season, 'Breakthrough,' which, fair dinkum, sounds like a proper good time. We’re talking a *NieR: Automata* crossover (because who doesn’t love a bit of 2B in their life?), new dungeons, characters, and even a hover bike. Sounds great on paper, doesn't it?
But here’s where the digital tea leaves get a bit… murky. To shout about all this new content, Nexon decided to embark on a TikTok marketing campaign that has, shall we say, gone down about as well as a lead balloon in a swamp. They deployed AI-generated 'influencers' to peddle the Season 3 wares, and bloody hell, the community reaction has been something to behold.
These aren't your slick, indistinguishable-from-real AI creations, mind you. Oh no. We’re talking uncanny valley territory, mate. Robotic head bobs, pronunciations that sound like they learned English from a 1980s text-to-speech engine, and a general vibe that screams 'I'm a digital clone awkwardly trying to look human while discussing the Wall Crasher boss.' Apparently, some of these digital doppelgängers are even based on real streamers, like the horror-themed variety streamer DanieltheDemon. That’s a move that makes you raise an eyebrow, isn’t it?
What’s a curious gamer to make of this? Well, the community’s been pretty vocal. 'Cringe,' 'unnerving,' and 'lazy' are just a few of the kinder adjectives being tossed around. And honestly, you can’t blame them. Think about it: Nexon runs a whole 'Nexon Creators program' designed to *support* real content creators. So, to then seemingly bypass all that genuine human effort and plonk down these AI clones feels like a bit of a slap in the face. It’s like throwing a lavish party for all your mate's bands, then hiring a robot to mime their songs instead.
One particularly insightful comment, making waves on the game's largest subreddit, pointed out that if you’re going to use AI, at least use it in 'interesting' ways. Imagine, for a moment, using that tech to bring the actual *Descendants* (the game’s characters) to life in some dynamic, evolving promotional material. Now *that* would be innovative! Instead, we got… this. It smacks of trying to cut corners rather than create something genuinely engaging.
Adding insult to injury, there’s been chatter (and some reported evidence from YouTubers like Moxsy) that Nexon was allegedly deleting and re-uploading these controversial ads. If that’s true – and the smoke certainly suggests fire – it’s a classic PR play, isn't it? Try to scrub away the negative comments en masse and hope no one notices. But in the age of viral outrage and digital archaeology, that's about as effective as trying to sweep up water with a broom.
So, why would a publisher like Nexon, whose game *just* launched to millions of players, pull such a bizarre stunt? It’s pure speculation, of course, but it hints at a deeper narrative. Games, even successful ones, can see their initial player bases dwindle. Perhaps this was a desperate attempt to reignite interest, a sort of 'throw everything at the wall and see what sticks' approach to user acquisition. It’s the kind of chaotic optimism that sometimes leads to brilliance, but just as often, leads to summoning that wobbly pigeon.
The broader concern here isn't just *The First Descendant*. It’s about trust. When companies take shortcuts, especially with technology like AI that still carries a fair bit of public skepticism, they risk eroding the very trust they need from their player base. Gamers are a savvy bunch; we can sniff out inauthenticity faster than a bloodhound on a scent trail. Poorly executed AI advertising isn't just a misstep; it’s a potential turn-off for both loyal fans and prospective newcomers.
On the brighter side (because even in a digital wizard's workshop, there’s always a silver lining), the public barrage of criticism seems to have hit home. Nexon is reportedly rethinking its AI marketing push. Let’s hope they’ve learned a valuable lesson: authentic connection and genuine creativity beat uncanny AI clones any day of the week. Sometimes, the most powerful magic is just being real with your community, mate.
Original reporting by Dominik Bošnjak for Game Rant.
Tags: gaming news, AI in gaming, game marketing, community feedback, The First Descendant
Original article: Game Rant