Concord’s Cancellation: Lessons from a Hero Shooter’s Unfulfilled Promise

As I reflect on Concord’s sudden cancellation, I can’t help but feel a mix of disappointment and curiosity. Having spent the last few days with the pre-release build, I was gearing up for a full review of what Sony hoped would be their first foray into the games-as-service market. Instead, I find myself pondering what could have been and why this ambitious project fell short.

A Glimpse of Potential

Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios under Sony’s banner, showed promise from the start. As an avid fan of team-based shooters, I was eager to see how this new contender would stack up in a market dominated by free-to-play giants. What struck me most was the game’s storytelling ambition. The animated cutscenes between missions added a refreshing depth to the multiplayer experience, a rarity in competitive shooters that I genuinely appreciated.

Where Innovation Faltered

However, as I delved deeper, it became clear that Concord struggled to differentiate itself in crucial areas:

1. Character and Mission Design: Despite a colorful cast of 16 “Freeguners,” no character truly stood out after hours of play. While each Freeguner had unique weapons and abilities, they lacked the memorable personalities or standout designs that define successful hero shooters. This generic feel made it difficult to form attachments to specific characters or playstyles, a critical flaw in a genre built on hero identity. The six game modes at launch, while solid, felt all too familiar – defending bases, escorting objectives, and team deathmatches that didn’t bring anything new to the table. In a genre crowded with iconic heroes and innovative game modes, Concord’s offerings felt underwhelming.
   
2. Mechanical Missteps: Concord’s gameplay mechanics revealed both promise and pitfalls. The Team Creator System allowed players to create custom teams of 12 Freeguners, including multiple variants of the same character. This added a layer of strategy to team composition, allowing for more flexible tactics mid-match. However, it also risked overwhelming new players with choices and potentially creating balance issues in competitive play. The emphasis on aggressive play through skill cooldowns that reset only through combat was intriguing, pushing players to engage rather than hang back.
   Yet, compared to games like Apex Legends or Valorant, Concord felt a step behind in terms of game-changing mechanics. The absence of ultimate abilities, a staple in many team shooters, was particularly noticeable. This omission made matches feel less dynamic, reducing opportunities for dramatic comebacks or clutch plays that often define memorable moments in the genre.
   
3. Market Positioning: Perhaps Concord’s most significant misstep was its planned launch as a $39.99 title in a market dominated by free-to-play alternatives. This decision seemed out of touch with current player expectations, especially for a new IP in a crowded genre.

Unique Elements Lost in Translation

Concord did have some intriguing features that set it apart:

• Verticality: Most characters could perform long dodges, climb ledges, and double-jump, with some even able to glide briefly. This emphasis on aerial combat was reminiscent of Destiny 2, offering a unique flavor to engagements.
• Persistent Deployables: Objects like healing stations or protective domes remained on the battlefield even after a character’s death or round end, hinting at deeper tactical possibilities.

These elements suggested a game with potential for deep, strategic play. However, without the chance to see how these systems evolved in a live environment, it’s hard to say if they would have been enough to set Concord apart in the long run.

Industry Implications

Concord’s cancellation highlights the challenges faced by new entrants in the competitive multiplayer space, especially those backed by major publishers like Sony. The pressure to deliver a blockbuster hit often leads to rushed development cycles and misaligned expectations. In Concord’s case, it seems the team’s ambition to create a rich universe with weekly story content may have outpaced their ability to innovate within established genre conventions.

A Glimmer of Hope?

Sony’s decision to refund customers and potentially retool Concord offers a sliver of optimism. It shows a willingness to step back and reassess rather than pushing out a product that’s not ready for prime time. However, questions remain about how Concord might be reimagined to compete in the current market landscape, particularly if it shifts to a free-to-play model as many speculate.

If Concord does transition to a free-to-play model, it could open up new possibilities for the game. Successful free-to-play shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends have shown that a combination of regular content updates, seasonal events, and a fair monetization system can build and maintain a large player base. Concord could potentially leverage its rich universe and storytelling ambitions to create a more narrative-driven live service experience, setting it apart from its competitors.

Moreover, a free-to-play model could allow Concord to refine its core gameplay loop based on a larger player base’s feedback, potentially addressing issues with character memorability and game mode innovation. The Team Creator System could be expanded into a key feature, with regular additions of new Freeguners and variants to keep the meta evolving.

Looking Ahead

As we wait to see what becomes of Concord, there are lessons to be learned:

1. Innovation is Key: In a crowded market, bringing something truly new to the table is crucial. Concord’s story elements and some of its unique mechanics were steps in the right direction, but they needed to be more deeply integrated into the core gameplay loop.
2. Market Awareness: Understanding where your game fits in the current landscape is as important as the game itself. The decision to launch as a mid-priced title may have been Concord’s biggest hurdle.
3. Balancing Ambition and Execution: While Concord’s narrative ambitions and rich universe were commendable, they needed to be matched with equally innovative gameplay to stand out.

Concord’s journey serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges in game development, especially when trying to break into established genres. Its cancellation is not just a loss for Sony or Firewalk Studios, but a missed opportunity for the hero shooter genre to evolve and innovate.

As the industry continues to grapple with the balance between creativity and commercial viability, Concord’s story will likely be a case study in ambition, market realities, and the importance of finding a unique voice in a crowded space. For developers looking to innovate in established genres, Concord’s story is a reminder that ambition must be matched with precision and market awareness. For players, it’s a call to continue supporting the bold risks that drive our industry forward, even as we demand quality and innovation. Only through this push and pull between creators and audience can we hope to see the next great evolution in gaming.