When discussing the challenges facing live looter shooters, one game I overlooked despite having logged over 300 hours in it is The First Descendant. This PvE looter shooter launched with promising numbers and a dedicated fanbase, but six months later, its trajectory tells a different story.

Launch Success and Early Promise

The First Descendant debuted in July with an impressive peak of 264,860 players on Steam. Its gameplay loop offered compelling rewards, clear objectives, and a well-structured shooter experience. As a genre veteran, I found the launch content engaging and well-executed.

However, even at its peak, discussions around the game were partially overshadowed by culture war debates surrounding the appearance of its characters. Despite the distraction, the game had enough depth to attract a solid player base.

Six Months Later: A Rapid Decline

Fast-forward to today, and the numbers paint a grim picture. The First Descendant has seen its peak player count plummet to 9,781—a staggering 96.4% drop from launch.

While it’s common for live-service games to lose players post-launch, the decline here is particularly steep. Seasonal updates and content drops, which should rejuvenate player interest, have resulted in only temporary spikes. For instance, seasonal events might raise active users from 12,000 to 26,000, but the boost only lasts 2-3 weeks before hitting new lows.

The Core Issues: Why Players Are Leaving

Despite its potential, The First Descendant has struggled to retain players due to several key issues:

1. Punishing Reward Loops

The game’s drop rates can feel excessively stingy, making progression frustrating. Loot-based games thrive on rewarding players for their investment, and The First Descendant hasn’t struck the right balance to keep the grind satisfying.

2. Seasonal Model Flaws

Each new season introduces characters that start from scratch, requiring a significant grind to match the power of previously upgraded heroes. For many players, the effort doesn’t feel worthwhile. Why invest 50+ hours farming for and upgrading Ultimate Viessa only to grind all over again for a new character like Hailey?

The addition of mega-bosses designed to favor new characters hasn’t helped. Instead of feeling rewarding, this approach often frustrates players by making their existing heroes feel obsolete.

3. Lack of Evolution

Unlike successful games like Genshin Impact, which continuously evolve their systems to keep players engaged, The First Descendant has struggled to refine its core mechanics. Its seasonal updates have failed to provide meaningful long-term improvements or innovation.

A Broader Challenge for Live Looter Shooters

The struggles of The First Descendant highlight a broader issue within the live looter shooter genre: sustaining player interest over time. The genre relies heavily on ongoing updates and seasonal content to keep players engaged, but as this game demonstrates, even a promising launch isn’t enough without consistent innovation and player-focused design.

Is There Hope for The First Descendant?

I stopped playing during Season 1, despite my initial enthusiasm and significant playtime. While I don’t think The First Descendant is a bad game, its steep decline in player numbers suggests that it needs a dramatic shift to regain momentum. Without a major expansion or overhaul, it risks becoming another cautionary tale about the challenges of creating a sustainable live looter shooter.

Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale

The First Descendant had the foundation for success, but it’s a reminder of how unforgiving the live-service model can be. Reward loops, progression systems, and seasonal content must evolve to keep players engaged, or even the most promising titles risk losing their audience.

The game isn’t dead yet, but its future depends on whether its developers can address these critical issues. For now, its story serves as a stark example of how difficult it is to thrive in this crowded genre.

What’s your take on The First Descendant? Have you played it recently, or did you also move on after the early months? Share your thoughts in the comments below!