The First Descendant: Urgent Hotfix 1.3.9b Fixes Crashing Bug
NEXON Games has rolled out a critical hotfix for its recently launched looter-shooter, The First Descendant, addressing a significant stability issue that was causing game crashes for players across all platforms. The small but crucial update, version 1.3.9b, targets a specific bug that could abruptly end a player's session, ensuring a smoother and more reliable gameplay experience for Descendants everywhere.
The development team announced the patch and encouraged all players to restart their game clients to ensure the update is properly applied. This swift response underscores a commitment to post-launch support and technical stability, which are vital for the long-term health of a live-service title.
The First Descendant Hotfix 1.3.9b: Release Details
The hotfix was deployed rapidly across all available platforms. While the rollout was mostly simultaneous, the developers noted a slight delay in preparing the update for Xbox consoles but assured the community they were working to get it live as quickly as possible.
- Patch Version: Hotfix 1.3.9b
- Release Date: November 6, 2024
- Platforms:
- Steam (PC)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S (Deployment in progress at time of announcement)
Players on all platforms are advised to fully close and relaunch The First Descendant to initiate the download and installation of this mandatory patch.
What Does the New Update Fix?
The singular focus of Hotfix 1.3.9b is to improve the game's overall stability. The official patch notes are concise, highlighting one critical fix that was impacting the community.
- Primary Fix: Resolved a widespread issue where the game client would unexpectedly crash during gameplay.
While the exact trigger for the crash was not detailed, this type of bug can be incredibly frustrating for players. In a game like The First Descendant, where progress is made through completing challenging missions and securing valuable loot, an unexpected crash can result in lost time, resources, and rewards. Eliminating such a high-impact bug is a top priority for maintaining a positive player experience, especially in the weeks following a major launch or content update.
This hotfix demonstrates the development team's active monitoring of the game's health and their ability to react quickly to player-reported issues that disrupt the core gameplay loop.
The Importance of Stability in a Looter-Shooter
For any live-service game, but particularly for a fast-paced looter-shooter like The First Descendant, technical performance is paramount. The core appeal of the genre lies in seamlessly grinding missions, battling powerful bosses, and earning progressively better gear. A stable and smooth experience is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Frequent and targeted hotfixes like 1.3.9b serve several key purposes:
- Builds Player Trust: Acknowledging and rapidly fixing problems shows the community that the developers are listening and are dedicated to the quality of their product.
- Maintains Engagement: Players are more likely to invest their time and energy into a game they know is reliable and consistently improving.
- Prevents Player Churn: Critical bugs, especially those that cause crashes and progress loss, are a major reason players abandon a new game. Proactive fixes help retain the player base.
By prioritizing the resolution of this game-crashing bug, the team behind The First Descendant is taking a crucial step in cementing the game's long-term potential and fostering a healthy relationship with its dedicated community.
How to Ensure You Have the Latest Patch
Applying the hotfix is a simple process. Your platform's game client should handle the download automatically. However, to ensure the patch is active and to prevent any lingering issues, follow the developer's official recommendation.
- Completely close The First Descendant application on your PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S.
- Check your platform's download queue to see if the update has started. It is a small hotfix, so the download should be very quick.
- Once the download is complete, relaunch the game.
Following these steps will ensure you are running the latest, most stable version of the game, allowing you to dive back into the action without fear of the now-resolved crashing issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is The First Descendant Hotfix 1.3.9b?
It is a small, mandatory update focused on fixing a critical stability issue that was causing the game to crash for players on PC and consoles.
Which platforms received the 1.3.9b update?
The hotfix was released for Steam (PC), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The developers noted a slight delay for the Xbox patch but were working to deploy it as soon as possible.
Do I need to manually download this patch?
No. Your Steam client, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S should automatically download and install the update. However, you must restart your game for the patch to take effect.
What was the main bug fixed in this hotfix?
The primary and only listed fix was for a bug that caused the game to crash unexpectedly, which improves overall gameplay stability and prevents players from losing progress during missions.