Summary
- Nexon addresses AFK farming in The First Descendant, while also warning players against using unauthorized programs.
- Community response is positive, with many agreeing that AFK players are currently a major issue in the game.
- Nexon promises future updates to address AFK farming and fix issues like copied ability icons from Destiny 2.
Nexon addresses reports of activity that some First Descendant players are AFK Farming, ruining the experience for those who are trying to play the game normally. Following The First Descendant's launch at the start of July, Nexon's free to play looter shooter has become incredibly popular with players, managing to attract over 10 million players within the first week of being available.
While utilizing microtransactions as a counter for being free-to-play, The First Descendant also allows players the ability to unlock resources, gear, and even new characters just for playing. However, the grind to unlock these items, especially the characters, can sometimes be lengthy due to the RNG involved in getting a specific resource to drop. As players are sometimes required to play missions multiple times in order to get the drop they need, some First Descendant players have tried to farm and streamline elements of the game to reduce the level of grind required. Unfortunately, some of these techniques are negatively impacting some player experiences, which has gained the attention of Nexon.
The First Descendant Season Roadmap
Knowing what is coming next in a game can build up hype and interest among a player base. This is where a roadmap for a game shines.
In a post over social media, Nexon addressed the increasing reports that some players have been utilizing "unauthorized programs" and "afk farming" during missions like The First Descendant's various outposts which impact the cooperative nature of the game. Nexon's post attempts to establish rules for players, specifically indicating that unauthorized programs and going AFK during missions are not permitted in an effort to create a more respectful community. The developer also teases a future update that will introduce some sort of countermeasure for those who continue to pursue these actions, though how it plans to do so remains a mystery for now.
Community Response to The First Descendant AFK Farming
Response to the post has been positive, with many agreeing that AFK players are a major issue with the game currently, as offenders attempt to circumvent detection systems by running in circles, spinning in place, or performing other subtle actions to trick the system into thinking they're actively playing. While the social space of Albion does have an auto-kick feature for those who idle for too long, many feel part of the issue with AFK farming being appealing are the low drop rates for materials and resources in The First Descendant. Some have indicated that raising the drop chance percentages may help alleviate some of the AFK players, though a dedicated system to remove inactive players is a priority.
Although The First Descendant remains very popular, it hasn't been a flawless experience since launch. Nexon continues to release updates to fix various bugs and other issues, with more quality of life updates on the horizon. However, one of the bigger issues that was raised recently were accusations that The First Descendant copied ability icons from Destiny 2. While Nexon addressed the issue and promised to change the icons in an upcoming patch, the problem apparently stemmed from a website called Iconduck, which features free-to-use icons and other graphics including a Destiny set that was seemingly accidentally labeled as open-source.
The First Descendant
- Released
- July 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The First Descendant is a next-generation third-person co-op action RPG looter shooter featuring high-quality graphics created in Unreal Engine 5.
Players become a Descendant whose mission is to combat alien invaders – The Vulgus who crossed dimensions over 100 years ago and brought with them the devastating Colossi and destruction – for the survival of humanity and to protect Albion and the continent of Ingris. Players will encounter spectacular stories of forces fighting over the Iron Heart as they grow stronger through various missions and raids.
Encounter features that make The First Descendant's gameplay unique: a variety of characters with unique concepts and combat styles, massive boss battles with up to four player co-op, free movement and coordinated action with grappling hooks, a variety of weapons and compelling customization options.
- Developer(s)
- Nexon Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nexon
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
