Was the decision not to make it free-to-play a mistake? Should Sony have considered offering it for free through PS Plus? Did requiring a PlayStation login contribute to its downfall? Would eliminating pronouns from the characters have made a difference in sales?
In the gaming community, there has been a lot of discussion over Sony’s recent release, Concord. This live-service shooter, launched on PS5 and PC, has encountered challenges not typical of a big-budget Sony game. While exact PS5 numbers are unknown, Steam data shows Concord struggling to attract players. On launch day, it only reached 697 concurrent players according to SteamDB. Currently, it has dropped to 171 players on Steam. In comparison, Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones has over 1,600 players on Steam.
It seems that Concord is having difficulty finding its audience. Different theories have emerged, but maybe the answer is simpler than players think – perhaps they are just not interested in the game.
What Went Wrong?
The launch issues with Concord are less surprising when considering its marketing history. Produced by Firewalk Studios, a new Sony studio with veteran developers on the team, Concord lacked a recognizable name or track record. The critical moment was its showcase during a State of Play stream. Unfortunately, the stream’s long cinematic cutscene for a multiplayer game without a single-player mode left viewers unimpressed. While gameplay followed, the initial impression was negative.
Previews prior to launch were mixed, with even IGN highlighting the game’s need for improvements. The ensuing public beta in July yielded similar feedback – lack of originality and balance issues. Concord launched quietly in August with mediocre reviews and low player counts on PC.
What’s to Blame?
The story of Concord‘s struggles links back to its uninspiring marketing and failure to differentiate itself from popular trends like Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy. The eight-year development timeline and late entry into the hero shooter genre played against it. Ultimately, player disinterest seems central to its lack of success.
Arguments blaming its pricing, not being free-to-play, or having a diverse cast for its failure don’t hold up. Success in the gaming industry often comes down to player interest above all else. Games like Marvel Rivals prove that a diverse cast can be embraced if backed by a strong concept and positive hype.
What’s Next?
Despite a rocky start, there is potential for Concord to turn its fortunes around. Firewalk Studios has planned three seasons for the game, allowing room for improvement and growth. Lessons from its launch will shape its future, but the key is to focus on gameplay and originality to attract players.
Concord is available on PS5 and PC. Let’s see if it can rise above its current challenges and find success in the competitive gaming market.
