Sony’s latest game, Concord, a live-service hero shooter released on PS5 and PC, has faced a rocky launch, struggling to find an audience. While its performance on PS5 remains unknown, its Steam player count is dismal, peaking at only 697 concurrent players on launch day. This stands in stark contrast to other big-budget releases, prompting many to question the reasons behind its failure.
The blame, however, might be simpler than expected. Concord’s lack of success can be attributed to a series of missteps in its marketing and development, leading to a lukewarm reception from players. It’s not a matter of game design flaws or controversial features; rather, it’s a story of missed opportunities and outdated trends.
Concord’s launch was preceded by a series of missteps. The initial reveal during a State of Play stream featured a long cinematic cutscene for a game with no single-player mode, leaving many viewers unimpressed. The game was also compared to other popular titles like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Overwatch, showcasing its lack of originality.
Subsequent previews, including a critical review from IGN, further highlighted the game’s shortcomings, emphasizing its lack of unique gameplay elements in a saturated market. The public beta also received mixed responses, solidifying the perception that Concord was not a fresh or groundbreaking title.
The game’s eight-year development cycle also played a role in its failure. Starting development in 2016, Concord missed the peak of the hero shooter boom, arriving years after titles like Overwatch had established their dominance. As a result, Concord felt outdated, unable to capture the attention of players seeking new and exciting experiences.
The consensus is that players simply weren’t interested in Concord. It lacked the hype of a popular IP, suffered from poor marketing, and offered little that was new or compelling. While pricing and distribution strategies could have played a role, they don’t address the core issue: a lack of player interest.
Despite the discouraging early data, there is still hope for Concord. The core gameplay has received praise, and future content updates could help revitalize the game. However, overcoming its initial struggles will require a significant effort, particularly in the face of competition from established live-service games.
Concord’s launch serves as a cautionary tale for the gaming industry. It highlights the importance of marketing, innovation, and timing in the success of a game. It also reminds us that player interest is paramount, and even the most ambitious productions can fail if they fail to capture the hearts and minds of gamers.
