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- Concord quickly flopped and was shut down due to several factors.
- Sony’s upcoming live-service title Fairgame$ faces similar risks if it doesn’t learn from Concord’s mistakes.
- Haven Studios should at least make the game free to play so that it can survive in a competitive market.
The recent failure of Concord serves as a grim warning for Fairgame$, another upcoming PlayStation exclusive. Looking at what went wrong with this hero shooter, it’s obvious that Fairgame$ could be in trouble unless major changes are made.
Concord launched in August 2024 with big hopes since it was made by Firewalk Studios, which includes former Bungie and Activision veterans. However, the hero shooter quickly flopped.
Within just over a week, Concord was removed from stores, making it one of the fastest failures in gaming history. Fairgame$ could face similar problems if it doesn’t make some important changes quickly.
Why it matters: PlayStation has clarified that it’s quite confident in Haven Studios’ work. Yet, the marketing seems non-existent for now.
Over-Reliance on Live-Service Elements
One big reason Concord failed was its heavy focus on live service elements.
Unlike successful titles like Destiny 2 and Fortnite, Concord couldn’t attract and keep players. It was priced at $40, a mistake since its main competitors were free-to-play. Players had no reason to buy a new release that didn’t offer something unique.
The generic and uninspired gameplay also made it difficult to keep players engaged. Fairgame$ might face similar issues if it makes the same mistakes. Sure, its competitive heist premise sounds exciting, but it has identical risks.
The team at Haven Studios aims to make an inclusive multiplayer experience, but it needs to do more than just offer flashy visuals. With so many multiplayer releases appearing and disappearing, Haven Studios’ work has to stand out with unique gameplay and regular updates to avoid failing.
Lack of Market Differentiation
Another big problem with Concord was that it didn’t stand out in a crowded shooter market. Even though the hero shooter was made by experienced developers, it was quickly overshadowed by other franchises with larger player bases and better promotion.
Fairgame$ could face the same issue. While a heist multiplayer experience sounds interesting, it’s not entirely new. The likes of Payday 2 have already made a mark in this genre. To avoid being seen as just another generic multiplayer release, the title needs to offer something truly unique.
It faces an even bigger challenge because it’s coming out in a very competitive market. With big games like GTA 6 and Monster Hunter: Worlds on the horizon, Fairgame$ might get lost in the shuffle.
Sony will need to invest in a strong and ongoing marketing effort to ensure that it stays in the spotlight.
Misaligned Expectations
A key issue with PlayStation’s latest failure was that it didn’t match what players were expecting.
Early trailers and gameplay footage looked promising, but when the hero shooter came out, it felt empty and disappointing, leading to a strong negative reaction. Fairgame$ faces a similar risk.
While the early previews highlight its heist and team-based features, the game must deliver on these promises. If it falls short, players may react just as harshly. Haven Studios must be clear and honest about what to expect and ensure the final launch meets the hype.
Fairgame$ Needs To Be Different
To avoid the problems that hurt Concord, Fairgame$ needs some key changes. First, Haven Studios should focus on making the core gameplay exciting and unique. The heist idea is interesting but needs strong mechanics and regular updates to keep players hooked.
Second, pricing is important. Concord’s $40 price was off-putting, especially with free-to-play options available. Fairgame$ might do better with a more affordable pricing model, possibly going free-to-play with optional in-game purchases.
Finally, staying in touch with the community will be critical. Concord failed partly because the developers didn’t communicate too well. Haven Studios must actively listen to player feedback and make changes based on the community’s wishes.
This approach will help build trust and keep players interested in the project.
Concord’s failure is a warning for all game developers, but it’s especially relevant for PlayStation’s next big live service project. For this live service heist-based title to succeed where Concord didn’t, Haven Studios must reflect on the recent failure and ensure these missteps are never repeated.
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