Sony's Concord: A disastrous launch marred by lackluster content
Sony's Concord launch plagued by technical issues and lack of content, disappointing players and critics. Urgent updates needed to salvage its reputation.
The entire gaming segment of the internet is talking about Sony's recently released multiplayer hero shooter Concord. Normally, this would be a good thing for a newly released videogame, but for Sony this could spell disaster. That's because the conversation is around the potential failure that is Concord.
What is Concord?
Sony's new game, Concord, was billed as an exciting addition to the world of first-person shooters, developed by Firewalk Studios. Set in a vibrant sci-fi universe, Concord invites players to assemble their crew of Freegunner space outlaws and engage in thrilling 5v5 PvP battles across the galaxy. The game emphasizes teamwork and strategy, allowing players to handpick their roster from the crew of the Northstar, a group of misfits and adventurers working as guns-for-hire. With its character-driven gameplay and dynamic environments, Concord promises an immersive and action-packed experience for both PS5 and PC gamers.
The game was released on August 23, 2024, following a beta phase in July, giving players an early taste of its innovative gameplay. The game aims to stand out with its unique blend of fast-paced combat and deep narrative elements, offering a fresh take on the multiplayer FPS genre. Players can look forward to regular content updates, including new maps, characters, and cosmetic rewards, ensuring that the game remains engaging and evolving over time. With its combination of strategic team play and rich storytelling, Concord is set to make a significant impact in the gaming community.
Will Concord's impact be positive on the community?
Apparently, no. The game's launch, by all public metrics, has been an absolute disaster. Many games every year don't sell well when they launch. This can be because of a lack of marketing budget, uninspired gameplay, or simply being a bizarre game. however, that is not the case with Concord.
On release day, Concord only had a peak of 697 concurrent players on Steam. That is less than Slime Rancher 2, an indie game by Monomi Park that released 2 years ago to 21,524 concurrent players, but had 714 concurrent players today. As of today, only a week later, the concurrent player count is 93 with an average player count of 190.
So, are the game's sales really that bad? It would appear that they are. According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella speaking to IGN,
Concord ranked 147th in US PS5 daily active players across all titles, with fewer than 0.2% of Monday's active PS5 players playing the game.
A bad sign for Sony gamers
The significance of this failure is different than most others because of the studio behind the game. Concord is a Sony first-party title developed by studio Firewalk Studios, meaning that it should be a Sony customer's dream. However, this has not helped the game.
Sony seems to have bungled this one all along. The marketing was not great, with many gamers not even knowing the game exists. Those who do know about it were not impressed by the game. Entering the incredibly crowded market of hero shooters this late required that the game truly differentiate itself. But the studio seems to have neglected to do that, giving players absolutely no reason to try out a new game in this crowded genre. Why switch from Overwatch to Concord if there is nothing special about the game? The answer from gamers seems to be there is no reason.
So, will Sony revamp the game or give up on it entirely? Only time will tell.