Sony recently showcased Concord, its new hero shooter, at the PlayStation State of Play event, receiving a lukewarm response from the audience. However, the game has now launched an early test for PS Plus players and a few PC pre-orderers to try out and provide feedback on gameplay.
Feedback on Concord has been relatively positive, with some mixed opinions on its unique character designs inspired by ’70s sci-fi aesthetics. Despite this, many players have praised the game for being well-made and enjoyable to play.
One of the main challenges facing Concord is breaking into a market saturated with established multiplayer shooters like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Apex, and Overwatch. This crowded market makes it difficult for new IPs to gain traction and attract players.
Price is another significant issue for Concord, as the game is priced at $40, significantly lower than mainstream games which typically cost $70. In comparison, many popular hero shooters like Apex Legends, Valorant, and Overwatch are free-to-play, making it challenging for Concord to compete in terms of pricing.
Releasing a new game in a highly competitive market with established titles and recognizable IPs presents a significant challenge for Concord. The game must stand out with unique characters and gameplay to attract players, especially when faced with free-to-play competition.
Sony’s decision to launch Concord at $40 may be an experiment to test the viability of a new multiplayer PvP shooter in the current market. The success or failure of Concord could potentially influence the launch strategy for other upcoming games like Marathon, a high-profile PvP shooter reportedly adopting a hero-based model.
It remains to be seen how Concord will fare in the long run, considering the challenges it faces in a crowded market dominated by free-to-play hero shooters. Despite the game’s quality, it may struggle to overcome the odds stacked against it and establish a significant player base.
