In its first weekend after launch, Nexon’s The First Descendant on Steam has been breaking playercount records every ten minutes, reaching 243,000 concurrent players. This success has defied the notion of PvE live service looter fatigue, showing that there is still a strong appeal for free, live, loot-based games. Despite some criticism, the game is attracting large numbers of players, leading to discussions about the popularity of this genre among gamers and game studios.
Comparing The First Descendant to its rivals in the market, it becomes clear that the success of live service games is not solely dependent on quality but also on the game format. Games like Lost Ark, Destiny 2, and Warframe have all seen high peak player counts, while paid games like Outriders and The Division have also performed well. On the other hand, games like Marvel’s Avengers, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and Anthem have been considered failures due to a combination of factors, including high price points and lackluster gameplay.
The trend of combining live service elements with blockbuster AAA titles has led to significant failures in recent years, with games like Anthem, Avengers, and Suicide Squad struggling to meet player expectations. However, there have been exceptions like Destiny 2 and The Division, which found success as live games despite not launching as free-to-play titles. Budget also plays a role in the success of these games, with smaller titles like Remnant 2 achieving solid numbers compared to larger productions.
Despite its flaws, The First Descendant is on track to surpass 300,000 players soon and may even surpass Destiny 2’s all-time high. The game’s reliance on microtransactions and repetitive gameplay loops may not appeal to all players, but its free-to-play model and decent shooting mechanics have contributed to its popularity. The success of games like Lost Ark, which also hail from Korean studios, further highlights the potential of the live service looter genre in attracting players and generating revenue.
While there are exceptions to the rule, the success of games like The First Descendant underscores the viability of the free-to-play live service model in the gaming industry. Despite criticisms of its gameplay and microtransactions, the game’s surge in player numbers demonstrates the continued appeal of this genre among gamers. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how studios adapt to changing player preferences and market demands in the competitive world of live service games.
