John Nowacky
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PC strategy has seen its fair share of ups and downs this year, particularly with the releases of Helldivers 2 and Concord. While both games were first-party multiplayer titles that launched alongside the PS5, their stories have taken drastically different paths.
Helldivers 2 quickly gained traction upon its release, attracting over 400,000 players on Steam alone. In contrast, Concord’s launch has been met with little fanfare, struggling to even reach 1,000 players on the platform. The question remains: what went wrong?
Earlier this year, Sony’s co-CEO Herman Hulst outlined the company’s PC strategy, emphasizing a “dual approach” that allows for simultaneous releases of live service games like Concord on both PlayStation 5 and PC. On the other hand, single-player games will make their way to PC years after their initial release on PS4 or PS5, such as the upcoming God of War Ragnarok.
Despite launching with a price tag of $40 / £34.99, Concord has failed to distinguish itself in the highly competitive live service genre. While reviews have been generally positive, with 79% of Steam reviews leaning towards the positive, the shooter has only garnered around 200 reviews. The problem lies in Concord’s lack of uniqueness, as it struggles to stand out among free-to-play titles like Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals.
Lead character designer Jon Weisnewski revealed that Concord had been in development for nearly eight years, coinciding with the rise of hero shooters like Overwatch. However, even with its extended development time and resources, the game has been overshadowed by the reception of Valve’s Deadlock, which was unveiled on the same day.
The future of Concord remains uncertain. While there is hope for a potential rebound, the competition and the positive buzz surrounding other shooters pose significant challenges. Only time will tell if Concord can overcome these obstacles and find its footing in the market.
In the meantime, for players looking to delve into the world of PlayStation’s new hero shooter, there are resources available to help navigate the game’s characters and modes. Alternatively, there are numerous FPS games available that offer unique experiences worth exploring. Stay updated with PC games news, reviews, and guides by following us on Google News, or take advantage of our PCGN deals tracker to find great bargains in the gaming world.
Facts not mentioned in the article:
1. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PC strategy involves releasing live service games like Concord simultaneously on both PlayStation 5 and PC, while single-player games are released on PC years after their initial release on PS4 or PS5.
2. Helldivers 2 gained significant traction upon its release, attracting over 400,000 players on Steam alone.
3. Concord’s launch, on the other hand, has been met with little fanfare and has struggled to reach 1,000 players on the platform.
4. Reviews for Concord have been generally positive, with around 79% of Steam reviews leaning towards the positive.
5. Concord has failed to distinguish itself in the highly competitive live service genre, struggling to stand out among free-to-play titles like Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals.
6. The lead character designer of Concord, Jon Weisnewski, revealed that the game has been in development for nearly eight years.
7. Concord was overshadowed by the reception of Valve’s Deadlock, which was unveiled on the same day of Concord’s release.
Most important questions and answers:
1. What is Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PC strategy?
Answer: Sony’s PC strategy involves a “dual approach,” with live service games like Concord being released simultaneously on both PlayStation 5 and PC, while single-player games are released on PC years after their initial release on PS4 or PS5.
2. What is the player reception for Helldivers 2 and Concord?
Answer: Helldivers 2 gained significant traction, attracting over 400,000 players on Steam. In contrast, Concord has struggled to reach 1,000 players on the platform.
Key challenges or controversies associated with the topic:
1. Concord’s lack of uniqueness poses a challenge as it struggles to stand out among free-to-play titles in the highly competitive live service genre.
2. The overshadowing of Concord by Valve’s Deadlock, which was unveiled on the same day, has created additional challenges for the game.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Sony’s PC strategy allows for simultaneous releases of live service games on both PlayStation 5 and PC, potentially expanding the player base.
– Positive reviews for Concord indicate that there is an audience that appreciates the game.
Disadvantages:
– Concord’s lack of uniqueness and competition from other shooters like Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals hamper its success in the market.
– The overshadowing of Concord by Valve’s Deadlock affects its visibility and potential player interest.
Suggested related links:
– PlayStation Official Website
– Steam Store
