Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios, originally garnered attention as a promising new shooter game slated for release on both PC and PS5. However, the excitement seems to have dimed, as evidenced by the lukewarm reception to its open beta phase. Initially, access to Concord's closed beta was limited to those who pre-ordered the game—a common practice aimed at drawing in early commitment from the gaming community. Despite this attempt to build a player base, the closed beta posted unimpressive player numbers.
As the game transitioned to an open beta, allowing free access to all interested players, one might have expected a significant uptick in participation. Unfortunately, this was not the case. According to data from SteamDB, Concord's open beta peaked at a mere 2,388 concurrent players over a weekend. During off-peak times, the number plummeted to as low as 557 players. Such figures are unsettling, not only for the developers at Firewalk Studios but also for Sony, the game's publisher, which has significant stakes in the game's success, particularly on the PlayStation platform.
The issue extends beyond just player count. Concord's presence on Twitch, a vital platform for game visibility and player engagement, is similarly underwhelming. With only 71 viewers at a given time, it's clear that the game is struggling to capture the interest of the streaming community. This lack of enthusiasm has Sony, known for its blockbuster single-player narratives and some successful multiplayer titles, in a tight spot. The company faces criticism over its pricing strategy as well, with many players voicing discontent over the proposed $40 price tag for Concord, despite the ongoing free beta.
The general disappointment surrounding Concord might be indicative of a larger problem. Many PlayStation enthusiasts express a desire for Sony to focus on the cinematic, story-driven experiences that have traditionally defined the platform, rather than branching into service-based multiplayer games like Concord. This sentiment is compounded by a yearning for the return of beloved multiplayer titles such as Warhawk, Killzone, and Resistance, which suggests that while there is demand for multiplayer games under Sony's umbrella, it needs to be the right kind of multiplayer game.
The lackluster performance of Concord's beta might also be affected by low awareness and marketing. Some gamers have admitted to not even knowing about the free beta, which signals a failure in communication efforts. Looking ahead, Firewalk Studios and Sony will need to reassess their strategies not just for marketing Concord but also for aligning the game more closely with player expectations and demands.
With the official release date of August 23 looming, the teams behind Concord are under pressure to turn the tide. They will need to explore new ways to engage with potential players, possibly through more aggressive marketing, enhanced game features, or revisiting pricing strategies. It remains to be seen how Sony will address these challenges, but the path forward requires innovative thinking and perhaps a bit of bold decision-making.
For players and industry onlookers alike, the situation with Concord serves as a case study in the complexities of launching a new game in today’s saturated market. Success requires more than just a solid game; it requires capturing and maintaining player interest amidst a sea of competitors and high expectations. Whether Concord can navigate these challenging waters and emerge as a successful title post-launch is a question only time will answer.
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