Summary
Concordwill be the newest contender in the AAA free-to-play space. Launching later this month exclusively for PC and PlayStation 5,Concordhas already been unfavorably compared to the likes ofOverwatchand the MCU, with skeptical players arguing that the game lacks character, charm, and the chops to make it a competitive live-service title, especially with it releasing at a premium price point with additional in-game purchases.
Although big companies are attempting to cash in on the live-service trend, there’s a real possibility that the gold rush has long since ended. Those following the free-to-play market know all too well that for everyFortniteorWarzone, there are severalMarvel’s Avengers orBabylon’s Falls, as large publishers seem to put the cart before the horse time and time again, assuming that gaming audiences will jump at the opportunity to gobble up any big-budget, long-term time commitment that comes their way. Audiences have proven to be far more discerning than that, viewing new live-service games with a level of scrutiny that they perhaps would not have only a few years ago. It’s into this semi-hostile arena thatConcordis landing, and the circumstances of its release aren’t doing it many favors.
Concord Is Jumping Into the Live-Service Shooter Market at a Particularly Crowded Point
Concordmight have a chance to stand out in the shooter market, but it would probably be better off launching during a quieter period.Overwatch 2,Destiny 2, andCall of Duty, while certainly not without their critics, have far greater reach thanConcord, building up their brand and reputation over the course of several years. Put another way, if a shooter fan has to choose between putting down money forConcordor for access to theCOD: Black Ops 6beta, they will probably choose the latter, as they know what to expect.
TheOverwatch 2comparison may turn out to be particularly damning forConcord. The two games seem to have quite a bit in common, as they are both hero shooters with light MOBA elements and an emphasis on charismatic characters, butOverwatchis a franchise that has already succeeded whereConcordstill needs to prove itself: it has a fun, unique cast, great shooter mechanics, and a strong, if a bit outdated, selection of competitive game modes.
To top it all off,Overwatch 2is free-to-play, whileConcordwill be $40 USD upon release. It’s hard to say just howmuch this will hurtConcord’s player count, but it will almost certainly have an adverse effect. The uncertainty and mixed first impressions surroundingConcordmake it a difficult value proposition, and launching near the 12th season of a similar hero-shooter, with almost a decade of support and culture behind it, makes the $40 asking price a tough pill to swallow.
Concord Will Be Wrestling for Players' Time
Cost and relative value already putConcordat a marked disadvantage over its competition, but time may be its greatest enemy. Games likeDestiny 2andCall of Dutyare designed around addictive gameplay loops, urging players to commit more and more time. This is especially true forDestiny 2, which is designed around loot and a gear grind, demanding a good deal of sheer hours played.
These games have been finely tuned to monopolize players' time, and thisautomatically putsConcordin a tough spot, especially when considering its mixed critical reception.Concordmay have a chance if its greatest promises, mainly its style of long-form storytelling, bear fruit, but if it’s just seen asOverwatch2’s eager, more expensive younger sibling, it could be squashed by its competition.
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.
