The Somewhat Rise and Heavy Fall of Concord: Lessons for Game Developers.

Timing is everything in the gaming industry, and Concord missed the mark here. Released during a period crowded with similar titles, it struggled to capture the attention it needed. On top of that, the developers did not fully understand their target audience. Instead of attracting players with what they wanted, the game did not resonate. It lacked the unique appeal that set it apart from competitors. Marketing—or the lack there of—also significantly affected Concord’s success. Even if a game is solid, without a strong marketing push, it can easily get lost in the noise. The CGI trailer felt like a Guardians of the Galaxy parody. It suggested the game would become a brand new co-op shooter. It seemed like something you have fun with your friends. Yet, it was yet another competitive PVP title. Players crave something new. The newest hit Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 and Hell Divers 2 show a different trend. Gamers are tired of the PVP aspect. They want to just enjoy a wild ride with friends and can easily make new friends with a common goal. This can be achieved without the need to try so hard all the time against pro players. This is bringing people together rather than always thinking competitive.

Warhammer (Left) Hell Divers (Right)

Instead, Concord missed the mark. players were already bored of what they had seen before from familiar games like Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2. This led to a wave of negative first impressions. Soon after, negative reviews further hurt its reputation. Lastly, financial and management issues contributed to Concord’s fall from grace. Development costs ballooned, and the project faced budget overruns that compromised the quality of the final product. Poor project management meant that resources were not allocated efficiently, and crucial deadlines were missed.

This mismanagement resulted in a game that did not deliver a unique world and engaging list of characters.

In summary, the “story” of Concord offers a valuable lesson for anyone interested in game development. It shows how crucial it is to balance ambition with realistic goals. It is important to understand your market and give the players what they want. Lastly, manage your resources effectively. While Concord has not achieved success, analyzing its shortcomings can give insights and guidance for future projects. So, if you’re dreaming of creating the next big hit, take note of these lessons.