Nexon launches investigation into The First Descendant AI streamer advertising controversy

Nexon has now responded to allegations that fake AI streamers are being used in marketing The First Descendant. In a statement on social media, the publisher has advised that it is undertaking a “review” into how these adverts ended up online. DanieltheDemon, the streamer whose likeness was utilised in one of these adverts, has also spoken out against them and confirmed that he had no part in his apparent endorsement of The First Descendant.

As per Nexon’s statement in an article on The First Descendant’s official X page, it puts the blame on “certain irregularities identified in the operation of [its] TikTok Creative Challenge for creators“. This program “allows creators to voluntarily submit their content to be used as advertising materials“, and somehow these videos bypassed Tiktok’s automated filter to check for copyright violations. Nexon has stated that it is undertaking a review of this incident and “will promptly share an update through an official notice” once it is complete.

While most of the streamers used in the series of advertisements for The First Descendant were fully AI-generated, one of them used the appearance of a specific streamer, DanieltheDemon. In a comment on Game Central’s Tiktok video which has posted clips of the adverts, DanieltheDemon has stated that he has “no affiliation nor contract with The First Descendant“. According to him, Nexon “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.”

We will have to wait for the outcome of Nexon’s review to see who it blames for this mess. Its statement certainly doesn’t seem to take responsibility. Nexon has yet to respond to DanieltheDemon’s comment regarding the unauthorised use of his likeness.