Live-service games have become a staple for many studios, and Sony quickly jumped on the bandwagon after seeing Overwatch’s success. However, if we look at the player count for Concord, Sony’s attempt to rival Overwatch, it’s clear things aren’t going as planned. There are several potential reasons for this, and we’ve identified the key ones. Join us as we explore the top 5 reasons why Concord is struggling to attract players.
1. Concord is essentially a paid parody.
Let’s begin with the most obvious concern: the pricing. Concord is priced at an unreasonable $40 for a hero shooter, a genre known for eventually adding more battle passes and skins. The game seems to mistake itself for Helldivers 2, which it clearly isn’t. Sony’s assumption that Concord would receive the same positive response as Helldivers 2 despite the latter being a co-op shooter at the same price point has backfired.
The developers should have taken a lesson from PUBG’s mistakes. Initially, PUBG had a solid player base, but the pricing issue led to an unstable player count. Despite breaking records with over 3 million players at its all-time peak, the game struggled to maintain consistent numbers over time.
However, once the game transitioned to a free-to-play model, it experienced a significant surge in players on Steam. It frequently ranks among the top 5 games in terms of concurrent players, with spikes in player numbers especially noticeable on update days.
Conversely, Overwatch made the shift to a free-to-play model after recognizing that players were reluctant to spend on a hero shooter when free alternatives like Apex Legends and Valorant were already available. This raises the question of whether Concord might have benefited from a similar approach to attract players initially. While it’s a matter of speculation, it’s not the only issue. Another significant problem is the lack of unique elements in the game.
2. Feels Like a Prototype Bland and Unoriginal
Yes, you read that correctly. Concord feels as bland as a pizza with no seasoning. When I first played the beta, I hoped the game would add more content after the playtest. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The hero shooter elements are standard fare, with abilities that mimic those found in games like Overwatch and Valorant. The game modes are just rebranded versions of what’s already been seen in other titles. It’s puzzling what took them 8 years to develop, given the lack of innovation.
In contrast, the shooter genre is brimming with fresh innovations. The Finals introduced a fun, destructible environment that revitalized the genre. Shroud’s upcoming game, Spectre Divide, brings a unique concept with its playable clone feature. Apex Legends continues to innovate with new elements like EVO upgrades and ability trees. Even early looks at Valve’s new game, Deadlock, suggest it offers more variety and excitement in the battle arena shooter genre than we’ve seen in a while, a sentiment echoed by pros.
It makes me question whether the Concord developers were truly keeping up with industry trends. While they may have had a vision when they started development in 2016, by 2024, a $40 price tag should deliver more innovation and quality.
3. Uninspired and Forgettable Character Design
What we also deserve is better character design from a game that demands such a high price. I’m all for exclusivity and the inclusion of diverse characters, but it should be done right. When I talk about inclusivity in shooter games, I often mention Apex Legends, which nails it without compromising gameplay.
In Concord, however, character differences feel unnecessary and contribute significantly to why the game struggles to attract players. Some characters are overly large for a shooter, making their hitboxes more noticeable than the slimmer ones. This disparity can discourage players from investing time in mastering characters that are easier targets.
Some characters in Concord seem excessively detailed,while others appear underdeveloped in their design. I don’t mind intricate character details in a shooter, but balance is crucial, especially when players are investing significant money in the game. Unfortunately, the issues don’t end there—many of the characters feel like clones of those from other games or movies.
1-Off feels like a yellow version of R2D2, while Jabali comes off as a clear imitation of Seer from Apex Legends.Even Lennox and Star Child look like they were lifted straight from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Considering the budget and time spent on Concord’s development, the character designs feel like a letdown for gamers who invest in the game. But what happens when the market is already saturated with so many games?
4. Other Shooters Offer Better Value for Free
Yes, I think Sony misjudged the shooter genre by publishing a paid game when free games offer more value. Titles like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Overwatch 2 are already building lifelong fanbases by providing enjoyable experiences at no cost. Sony seems to struggle with this concept, but it’s not just about the games that are already out there.
There are plenty of exciting games currently in early access, alpha, or beta stages that are drawing players in. Delta Force, for instance, offers a 2024 take on Battlefield that feels more polished. Splitgate 2 delivers a Halo-like experience with portals for free in its alpha test.Spectre Divide is currently in public beta, while Deadlock is accessible through invite-only playtests. Even Marvel is joining the fray with Marvel Rivals, set to give players an Overwatch-style experience with Marvel characters in December. These options make it difficult for Concord to attract players.
All these games offer a polished and unique experience, even in their early stages. Additionally, being able to try them for free allows you to determine if they’re worth your time. This is one of Concord’s biggest shortcomings.
5. Video Game Fatigue
Before we conclude, it’s important to note that this is a peak time for video games. We already have standout titles like Stellar Blade and Helldivers 2, followed by the GOTY contender Black Myth Wukong and the Elden Ring Shadow of Erdtree DLC.
With Star Wars Outlaws and Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on the horizon, players are increasingly selective about their game choices, driven by video game fatigue. The recent Gamescom announcements and the availability of free hero shooters in the market mean that gamers are reluctant to spend money on a new hero shooter when they can enjoy high-quality options for free.
And these are the reasons why Concord struggles to attract players. With the game barely reaching 600 players on Steam, it may be time to move on. Have you tried Concord? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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