• The First Descendant, a free-to-play cooperative shooter developed by Nexon, has seen impressive player numbers on Steam despite facing criticism for its implementation of microtransactions. The game has managed to attract a significant player base, with over 100,000 concurrent players at its peak, making it one of the most popular games on the platform.

• The game's success has been attributed to its engaging cooperative gameplay, which allows players to team up and tackle challenging missions together. However, the article notes that the game's monetization model, which heavily relies on microtransactions, has been a point of contention among players. Many have criticized the game's "pay-to-win" approach, where certain in-game advantages can be purchased with real money.

• Despite these concerns, the game's developer, Nexon, has defended the monetization model, stating that it is necessary to sustain the game's ongoing development and support. The article suggests that the game's popularity may be a testament to the demand for cooperative shooter experiences, even if the monetization strategy is not universally well-received.