Update [Mon 18th Aug 2025, 4:30pm]: It’s now been confirmed that The First Descendant developer Nexon has stolen the likeness of at least one of the content creators featured in its AI-fuelled adverts for the game.
DanieltheDemon, who is the content creator first in the video embedded below, responded in the comments to the video: “I have no affiliation nor contract with The First Descendant. They stole my face/reactions from my most viral video and used AI to change what my mouth says and a voice that isn’t mine. I did not consent for my likeness to be used…”
Original Story: A series of AI-generated adverts promoting PS5, PS4 title The First Descendant are doing the rounds online, as it’s been suggested developer Nexon appears to have imitated real-life content creators and used their likenesses to promote the game.
Captured below on Reddit (via Eurogamer), ads on TikTok from the title’s official account pair gameplay with what looks like AI taking content creators’ likenesses to talk up the game, seemingly without their permission.
You can see some examples in the post below:
The AI ads are worse than you think
by
u/iHardlyTriHard in
TheFirstDescendant
As documented by Eurogamer, the game’s player base is disappointed Nexon has decided to take this route instead of highlighting actual content creators playing The First Descendant. While talk around the game has naturally dropped off, SteamDB tracking reveals the online title averages between 10,000 and 18,000 players per day. It’s by no means a live service heavyweight, but it does appear to attract a dedicated community.
“There are plenty of people they could have asked to make a short clip. They should have dropped into the streams of anyone who plays the game and just ask them,” said TizMarcoMania. “Use of AI for marketing is just plain bad.”
iHardlyTriHard responded: “Here’s another crazy thing I learned after making this post, Nexon is currently running a TFD Season 3 promotion event for Nexon Creators where they are giving them Nexon Creator points (or whatever it’s called). They have the tools and content they need, they just are opting for AI slop instead.”
Upon its PS5 launch last year, we were thoroughly unimpressed with The First Descendant, handing it a 3/10 review score. “It’s the gaming equivalent of playing with a fidget spinner while on a Discord call — something to keep your hands occupied while you catch up,” we concluded. “It’s a game designed to get you to pay to skip it, not play it, so what’s the point of it?”
[source reddit.com, via eurogamer.net]
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Liam grew up with a PlayStation controller in his hands and a love for Metal Gear Solid. Nowadays, he’s found playing the latest and greatest PS5 games as well as supporting Derby County. That last detail is his downfall.