Sony’s latest console exclusive, Concord, isn’t flying off the shelves as anticipated. Retailers like JB Hi-Fi Australia are struggling to move copies, and the game may be headed for heavy discounts this holiday season.
Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios, was supposed to be Sony’s big entry into the crowded hero shooter market, but it seems to have missed the mark. The game, which boasts a budget of nearly $50 million and took over four years to develop, has failed to generate significant hype. Despite being a first-party title, it launched with little fanfare, and initial reviews have been lukewarm at best.
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The game offers six modes spread across 12 maps with 16 characters, each with unique abilities. However, many players and critics have found the content to be underwhelming and lacking in depth. The development team at Firewalk Studios envisioned Concord (PS5 and PC) as a strategic shooter with elements comparable to a trading card game, but this complexity has not resonated with the broader gaming audience.
Oversaturated Market and Controversies
One of the major challenges facing Concord is the oversaturation of the hero shooter market. Games like Overwatch and Team Fortress 2 have set a high bar, and Concord has struggled to differentiate itself. The character design has been particularly criticized, with many gamers finding the heroes to be uninspired and lacking personality. The game’s aesthetic, a blend of 70s sci-fi, has been praised, but it’s not enough to mask the game’s other shortcomings.
Moreover, Firewalk Studios has faced backlash for its perceived arrogance. The developers have been criticized for not listening to fan , and this has only added fuel to the fire. Many players feel that the studio has been tone-deaf, pushing a game that doesn’t align with what the audience wants. This disconnect has been a significant factor in the game’s poor reception.
A Failed Launch on Steam
The launch of Concord on Steam was nothing short of disastrous. Despite being crossplay between PS5 (PlayStation 5) and PC, the game managed to sell only a few hundred copies on its first day, with a peak concurrent player base of just 697 s on Steam. This is a far cry from what Sony likely envisioned for their latest exclusive. Even with positive reviews about the moment-to-moment gameplay, the lack of a substantial player base has made it difficult for Concord to gain any traction.
Struggling to Sell at JB Hi-Fi
In Australia, JB Hi-Fi stores across Queensland are struggling to sell copies of Concord, even with the game being priced at a modest AUD$49.95. The situation is reminiscent of other high-profile games that failed to meet expectations and were quickly discounted. Titles like Anthem and Marvel’s Avengers were heavily discounted and ended up in bargain bins just a few months after launch.
Sales teams at JB Hi-Fi are already predicting that Concord could be sold for as little as AUD$20 in the coming months as Sony looks to clear out stock and possibly revive the dwindling player numbers by enticing more PlayStation 5 owners to pick up the game.
While Concord has some potential, particularly with its crossplay functionality, it seems that it may be too little, too late. Unless there is a significant turnaround, this game is likely to the ranks of other failed live-service titles that couldn’t find their footing in an already crowded market.