PlayStation’s latest first-party release, Concord, a first-person hero shooter developed by Firewalk Studios, has had an unexpectedly rough start on PC, with its launch on Steam drawing significantly fewer players than anticipated. On the day of its release, Concord managed to attract less than 700 concurrent players, a stark contrast to what is typically expected from a major PlayStation title. Even more concerning is the fact that since its debut on August 23, the game has only peaked at 697 players according to SteamDB, far below industry standards for a new title in this competitive genre.
The reception to Concord among those who have played it appears to be relatively positive, with over 200 reviews on Steam, the majority of which are favorable. However, the low number of reviews further highlights the minimal interest in the game. For a title that has been in development for nearly a decade, such low engagement is troubling, especially when compared to competitors in the hero shooter genre. For instance, Overwatch 2, despite being one of the most critically panned games on Steam, continues to draw in an average of 55,000 players daily. This stark contrast underscores the uphill battle Concord faces in carving out a space in an already crowded market.
The lukewarm response to Concord isn’t entirely surprising, considering the game’s tepid reception during its open beta in July. The beta failed to generate significant buzz among PC gamers, a key audience for live-service shooters. Many players and critics alike have pointed out that Concord might have had a better chance at success if it had adopted a free-to-play model, similar to its more successful peers like Overwatch 2 and Valorant. Instead, PlayStation decided to launch the game with a $39.99 price tag, a decision that could be deterring potential players who are reluctant to spend money on a new, unproven game, especially when there are free alternatives available.
Timing has also played a significant role in Concord‘s struggles. The game’s release coincided with the debut of major content updates for Destiny 2 and Overwatch 2 on August 27, as well as the first beta weekend for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on August 30. With so much fresh content available for established games, it’s likely that many gamers chose to invest their time and money in titles they were already familiar with, rather than taking a chance on a new entry like Concord. This unfortunate timing has only exacerbated the challenges faced by Concord, making it difficult for the game to gain traction in its crucial early days.
The situation is particularly dire for Firewalk Studios, the developer behind Concord. The studio had invested nearly a decade into developing this game, making its poor launch even more disappointing. Despite these setbacks, developer Jon Weisnewski has expressed confidence in the game’s future, stating on Twitter that Firewalk Studios is prepared to support Concord “for years to come.” However, in an industry where studio closures and layoffs have become increasingly common, the game’s low player count could put significant pressure on the studio to either turn things around quickly or face potentially dire consequences.
As it stands, Concord‘s future is uncertain. While the game has found favor with the small number of players who have tried it, the broader gaming community has yet to embrace it in any meaningful way. For a title that was supposed to be a major addition to PlayStation’s portfolio of exclusives, this rocky start is a significant blow. Whether through strategic updates, a shift to a free-to-play model, or other forms of support, Firewalk Studios will need to take decisive action to boost Concord‘s player base and ensure its survival in the highly competitive world of hero shooters. Otherwise, despite the studio’s best efforts, Concord risks fading into obscurity far sooner than anyone would have expected.
