Summary
Concordis meant to be the next big thing from Sony’s live-service multiplayer initiative. ThoughPlayStation has long been the home for story-driven single-player titles, the company is looking to branch out with a number of games-as-a-service endeavors, which has met a mixed reaction from players, many of whom argue that these games tend to be generic or easily interchangeable.
Nevertheless, Sony is moving ahead with the likes ofConcord, and while there have been some concerns about its monetization model and its premium asking price, its core mechanics have been regarded as strong, if somewhat uninventive in some areas. Most importantly,Concordrepresents a big step forward for Sony, as it’s a competitive shooter under the PlayStation banner, which is admittedly rare. As a hero shooter in the vein ofOverwatch,Concordis expected to live and die on the backs of its cast of characters, and cosmetics could play a major role here, allowing players to personalize their favorite heroes with various cosmetics. With the game being a flagship Sony exclusive, there’s an obvious opportunity here that it can’t pass up.
Concordstands out from Sony’s other recent live-service game, thesuccessful co-op shooterHelldivers 2, which doesn’t feature a PvP mode.
Concord Shouldn’t Shy Away from PlayStation Crossover Cosmetics
PlayStation Has a Rich Legacy to Draw from for Concord’s Cosmetics
Crossover content is nothing new in the world of live-service games, especially in the wake ofFortnite, which leans into third-party cosmetics and events to an almost absurd degree. ButConcordis in something of a unique position as a PlayStation exclusive, as it has essentially free-range to utilizePlayStation’s many iconic IPsin creative ways.
It’s easy to imagine a Nathan Drake skin for the quirky Lennox, or a Kratos skin for the burly Star Child. Unexpected Sony IPs could also make an appearance in the game via someone like Lark, whose clicker-like appearance seems primed for aLast of Uscrossover.Concordcould also dig into some deeper Sony cuts, drawing from seemingly forgotten Sony shooters likeResistanceorKillzonefor character cosmetics. This sort of fan-service may seem like a small thing, but it could go a long way toward helpingConcordclaw its way to relevance, making the most of its connection to Sony.
Crossover Cosmetics Could Help Establish Concord as Part of PlayStation History and Culture
In the so-called ‘console wars,’ identity and brand recognition are key. Series likeHaloandGears of Warhave long carried the torch for Xbox, their iconography being inextricable from the console’s legacy and history. PlayStation has attempted to replicate this sort of synergistic heritage with its multiplayer games, but with far less success. In a nutshell,Concordshould strive to be unapologetically ‘PlayStation’ in the same way thatHalois unapologetically ‘Xbox.’
LinkingConcordto PlayStation culture through the use of references and Easter eggs could be a good way to accomplish this. Using other PlayStation exclusives as a rubric for character cosmetics would create a cultural throughline betweenConcordand the history of its home console, making it feel like a proper mainstay in Sony’s vast catalog, a nexus of sorts for its long history.
Having said all that, Sony shouldn’t go overboard with this.Concordisn’t the most promising game in PlayStation’s lineupright now, with most criticism against it centering around its lack of originality and spirit. Indeed, many feel that it’s a hodgepodge of influences, sticking too closely toOverwatch’s gameplay and the quippy humor of blockbusters from the likes of Marvel. An overabundance of PlayStation-themed skins could worsen this perception, coming across as cynical and boring, especially if they aren’t paired with a genuinely creative and memorable base game.
Concord
WHERE TO PLAY
Assemble your crew of Freegunner space outlaws and team up online with friends for thrilling 5v5 PVP modes across the galaxy in Concord.Concord is a new team-based first-person shooter for PS5® and PC*. Handpick your personal roster of Freegunners from the crew of the Northstar – a group of outlaws and adventurers working as guns-for-hire.ASSEMBLE YOUR CREWFrom powerful mystics to skilled gunslingers and helpful healers, each Freegunner brings their own unique skills, personality, and abilities that cater to a wide-range of playstyles.Create your own custom squads of Freegunners with Crew Builder to bring an arsenal of different role types to the match or focus on your favourite characters to master their gameplay and unlock unique modifiers, cosmetics, background lore, and more – you decide when to play your characters and how you impact the match.PLAY. PROGRESS. PERSONALIZE.Earn and unlock a wide range of character customization items and learn more about the characters, worlds, and factions in the Concord Galaxy with the Galactic Guide.You’ll also be able to progress toward and unlock Freegunner Variants—versions of each of the 16 Freegunners with added Combat Trait modifiers to their base abilities. As you learn and master the characters, Combat Traits empower you to tailor each character to your playstyle.
