Ever since The First Descendant launched on the finish of June it’s had an away from keyboard (AFK) drawback. Now, developer Nexon has requested its participant base to please cease going AFK and please chorus from AFK farming.
Nexon’s free-to-play co-op centered looter shooter has loved huge recognition, with over 10 million gamers in simply 10 days. However out on the battlefield there’s an more and more troublesome situation that’s driving some gamers up the wall: AFK farming.
AFK farming is not an issue distinctive to The First Descendant, however on this sport it’s significantly dangerous. The concept is gamers be part of a mission with others and easily twiddle their thumbs whereas everybody else does the arduous work, then reap the rewards resembling expertise on the finish.
I’ve seen AFK farmers first-hand whereas taking part in The First Descendant — they’ll typically be spinning round in a circle, clearly in a bid to keep away from any AFK detection Nexon might have in place. As gamers progress by means of the mission the AFK farmer might be forcibly teleported to catch-up, even to the boss combat, the place they’ll proceed to run round in circles.
Nexon issued a statement in response on social media that coated AFK farming, in addition to going AFK throughout co-op play usually. “Should you want to step away, please achieve this in Albion solely!” Nexon mentioned, pointing to the sport’s major city. However the assertion additionally covers dishonest, which is an growing situation for The First Descendant.
Right here’s the assertion in full:
Recently, there have been growing studies of inappropriate conduct in our sport. Whereas the dev staff is engaged on measures, we would like to remind Descendants of the next tips:
1️⃣ The use, distribution, or creation of unauthorized applications is strictly prohibited. 🚫
2️⃣ Don’t go AFK throughout co-op play. Should you want to step away, please achieve this in Albion solely! 🚶♂️🚶♀️
3️⃣ Please chorus from AFK farming throughout missions. 🤖🚫
We’re all the time striving to create a enjoyable and nice gaming setting for Descendants! 🎮✨
Please take into account these guidelines and assist us construct a higher group collectively! 🤝🌟
This assertion, which basically quantities to a “play good” warning, will solely achieve this a lot, so gamers are calling on Nexon to add correct anti-cheat measures and anti-AFK farming mechanics. Some, nevertheless, are defending AFK farming as a result of, they insist, they’re so sick of The First Descendant’s crushing grind that they’ve misplaced the desire to play correctly.
The First Descendant is a large hit already, however Nexon might be conscious of rising its participant rely as the sport evolves, and we have seen how tough this has change into for therefore many publishers and builders who’ve entered the extremely aggressive reside service market lately.
Whereas The First Descendant is clearly successful it isn’t with out controversy, and sits on a ‘blended’ consumer assessment score on Steam. Players have closely criticized The First Descendant’s extremely aggressive monetization, which incorporates $100 character bundles and premium customization gadgets that expire after use. Nexon was additionally accused of copying Future 2 icons for the icons utilized in The First Descendant, one thing the corporate has now mentioned it would tackle in-game.
Anti-afk measures could be nice. You have already got it in Albion if you happen to idle for too lengthy you’re booted again to menu.
Up to now, that’s one of many only a few issues I don’t like in regards to the sport.
— James Getty (@DigitalHitmann) July 16, 2024
Each sport in god is aware of how lengthy has auto kick, this sport even has auto kick! I do know as a result of I have been kicked in Albion! That is type of a toothless response to the issue, sadly
— NXN Gaming (@NXNStreams) July 16, 2024
Typically talking, The First Descendant is a mash-up of mechanics from varied looter shooters already available in the market. There’s greater than a whiff of Future about The First Descendant’s design, techniques, and mechanics, however then there’s additionally a number of Warframe about it, too.
Final week, Nexon launched a major replace for The First Descendant that makes some huge modifications to the sport, however leaves some facets that had change into a subject of debate throughout the group nicely alone.
IGN’s The First Descendant assessment returned a 5/10. We mentioned: “The First Descendant has all of the constructing blocks of a unbelievable looter shooter, however they’re buried beneath a pile of monotonous quests, a horrible story, and an infuriating free-to-play mannequin that has influenced its sport design within the worst attainable manner.”
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.