The First Descendant promises quick action if you don’t stop cheating

With every major video game release, there are cheaters. The first descendant is no exception. The bigger they are, the harder it is to stop the growing number of people who circumvent systems and avoid playing as intended. Nexon’s latest looter shooter is learning this the hard way, and to deal with the growing number of AFK players and cheaters, the developer is promising new and fast anti-cheat measures.

While The First Descendant is one of 2024’s biggest hits so far, that doesn’t mean the shooter isn’t without its issues. Between connection issues at launch, accusations of stolen in-game icons, and mediocre Steam reviews, the co-op game has a lot to fix if it wants to hold its own.

Additionally, First Descendant has a growing AFK and cheating problem, so developer Nexon is finally saying a clear no and promising swift punishment for anyone who behaves negatively.

“Recently, we have seen an increase in reports of inappropriate behavior in our game,” Nexon writes. “While the development team is working on measures, we would like to remind Descendants of the following guidelines:

“The use, distribution, or creation of unauthorized programs is strictly prohibited. Do not go AFK during cooperative play. If you must leave, please only do so in Albion! Please refrain from AFK farming during missions.”

Nexon hasn’t revealed what these “measures” are, but I imagine AFK players will either be kicked out of matches or finish without rewards. As an avid MMO player, I know the cardinal sin of online gaming is not actually playing. Everyone has to do their part, and anyone abusing the system to run into a corner or spin in circles will quickly get on the team’s nerves.

The First Descendant community is already ten million strong and full of bad actors, so punishments need to be swift and severe to ensure a positive gaming experience, otherwise people will just move on to the next big hit.

While The First Descendant is soaring up the Steam charts and already has over 250,000 players, it has had a far from smooth launch. Reviews have been mixed, with players complaining about microtransactions that cost around $100, and Nexon has paid out compensation due to ongoing server issues.

But that’s not all: Nexon promises to change The First Descendant’s in-game icons after discovering that they bear a striking resemblance to those in Destiny 2. “We have taken the concerns raised seriously and decided to make adjustments to ensure that the potentially similar-looking images clearly reflect the unique identity of our game,” Nexon writes.

Stay up to date with all the codes for The First Descendant to get free rewards, and our breakdown of all The First Descendant characters will also ensure you can unlock and understand each one.

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