Concord, the new first-person competitive hero shooter from Firewalk Studios and the latest first-party PlayStation game to launch simultaneously on PC and PlayStation 5, has experienced one of the worst game launches in recent memory. With a peak concurrent player count of only 697 on Steam during its first weekend, it significantly underperformed even compared to the notorious flop, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This dismal performance raises questions about the game’s future, especially in a competitive genre teeming with established and popular titles.
While the gameplay itself is not the issue, the lack of player engagement points to a confluence of factors. One major reason is the saturation of the hero shooter genre. Sony’s announcement of Concord as a hero shooter like Overwatch or Valorant disappointed PlayStation fans who were hoping for a new single-player experience. The game’s world and characters, often compared to a pale imitation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, further fueled this disappointment. Unlike the memorable cast of characters in Overwatch, Concord’s heroes lack appeal and uniqueness, a crucial aspect for a game that relies heavily on character identity.
Another key factor contributing to Concord’s poor performance is its price point. Sony’s decision to charge $40 USD for the game, a multiplayer-only experience, puts it at a disadvantage compared to free-to-play alternatives like Overwatch 2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and the upcoming Marvel Rivals. The latter, a free-to-play hero shooter featuring iconic Marvel heroes, has already garnered significant engagement during its beta phases, further highlighting the competitive landscape Concord is facing.
The game’s lackluster pre-release performance, with closed and open betas failing to attract a sizable audience, further raises questions about Sony’s decision to maintain the $40 price point. Furthermore, Concord’s release was overshadowed by the launch of Black Myth: Wukong and the official announcement of Valve’s new multiplayer game, Deadlock, which has attracted tens of thousands of concurrent players. The lack of marketing behind Concord further contributed to its underwhelming launch.
In conclusion, Concord’s disastrous launch can be attributed to a combination of factors, including genre fatigue, uninspired character design, an unfavorable price point, and a lack of marketing. The game’s future remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges of competing in a crowded and competitive market.
