PlayStation’s Big Blunders: Why Concord Flopped and What It Means for Gamers
Just because a company rakes in billions doesn’t mean it always nails the right business moves. PlayStation recently provided us with a perfect case study of faulty decision-making when it launched Concord—and then yanked it offline in a shockingly short timeframe.
1
Despite an impressive eight years of development, the monumental live-service game Concord was shelved by PlayStation just two weeks post-launch. Fans were left reeling from the abrupt shutdown, especially considering how saturated the market is with live-service games.
Did Poor Marketing Play a Role in Concord’s Failure?
Many gamers point fingers at Sony’s marketing strategy, claiming it simply didn’t do enough to raise awareness about Concord‘s release. If the audience doesn’t know a product is launching, how can it succeed? It’s like throwing a party and forgetting to send out invitations—your friends might not even show up!
The timing of the launch, too, is suspect. With numerous live-service games flooding the market, some believe a different launch window could have propelled Concord to success instead of placing it in a crowded field where it struggled to stand out.
Blockades: PSN Account Requirements
One of the most criticized decisions was implementing the requirement for players to have a PlayStation Network account, regardless of whether they played on PC. This added a hurdle, frustrating many potential players, especially since PSN isn’t supported in over 170 regions worldwide. How can gamers be expected to join a network that isn’t available to them?
This PSN account requirement first appeared with Helldivers 2, but following backlash, Sony quickly backtracked. Yet it didn’t stop there—Ghost of Tsushima also adopted this requirement just before pre-orders commenced. Instead of a reversal, Sony opted to issue refunds in regions lacking PSN access, which only sowed further discontent among users.
Despite the criticism, Sony is maintaining its stance. The recent release of God of War Ragnarök reflects this trend, as it carries the same PSN restriction, leading to a flood of negative reviews from the gaming community on its Steam page.
The Future of PlayStation Titles on PC: Here’s What to Expect
Looking ahead, it appears that Sony is doubling down on the PSN requirement for PC players, with the upcoming remake of the beloved survival horror title Until Dawn following suit. It seems as if no amount of player feedback will budge Sony’s resolve, cementing a daunting barrier for those eager to dive into PlayStation’s immersive worlds.
So, what’s next for PlayStation? With the missteps surrounding Concord serving as a cautionary example, will they recalibrate their approach to avoid further pitfalls? Will they finally listen to the community’s voice and adjust accordingly? Only time will tell.
If you want to stay updated on all things PlayStation, don’t forget to check out the latest features, games, and exclusives on the horizon!
All the latest PS5 reviews from Central Recorder
Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers.