The controversy has struck again at The First Descendant, a looter shooter game developed by Nexon, following the company’s decision to use AI-generated ads that mimic real people. This strategy has divided the content creator community, who feel betrayed by the choice to resort to AI instead of relying on their own members. With over 8,800 creators signed up for Nexon Creators, many claim that this approach is a direct slight to the community that could have given an authentic voice to the game.
A Game on the Tightrope
The ads, which have been criticized for their evident quality issues, such as faulty lip-syncing and unnatural voices, have gone viral on platforms like TikTok. Some users, like a prominent Redditor named iHardlyTriHard, have pointed out that in their search for these clips, they found several samples in a matter of minutes. Concern has grown in the community, where some believe that these ads could drive away potential players, generating distrust towards the product they are trying to promote.
Additionally, The First Descendant is not new to the realm of controversy. At its launch, the game had to remove several icons accused of copying Destiny 2 after a wave of negative reactions. This previous story has further fueled the debate about the ethics of using AI in the promotion of video games, with voices from the industry such as a former head of PlayStation comparing its impact to that of Excel on public accountants, highlighting the need for technical skill in creating authentic content.
As the discussion about the use of artificial intelligence in video game marketing continues, many are wondering if The First Descendant will be able to regain the trust of its fan base after this controversy.
