‘The First Descendant’ Faces Backlash Over Uncanny AI Ads And Streamer Clones

Nexon’s The First Descendant is facing backlash over its Season 3 “Breakthrough” TikTok ad campaign, which features uncanny AI-generated influencers. Fans criticized the robotic avatars for mimicking real streamers—especially horror creator DanieltheDemon—raising concerns about digital likeness and consent. The ads were described as “cringe” and “phishing-like,” with players accusing Nexon of sidelining its 8,800-member creator program. Allegations of comment deletion and ad re-uploads further fueled outrage. While the game launched strong in 2024, declining engagement may have prompted this risky marketing pivot. The controversy highlights growing unease around synthetic media and the importance of authenticity in gaming communities.