Concord's Troubling Launch Highlights the Challenges of Extended Game Development

By Matt Kim – August 29, 2024 — The gaming industry is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of developing blockbuster titles, but the recent launch of Concord has put a spotlight on the pitfalls of protracted development cycles. Developed by Firewalk Studios, a team of veterans from Bungie and Activision, Concord is PlayStation’s latest attempt at an online hero shooter. Unfortunately, despite the studio’s pedigree and eight years of development, the game’s launch has been underwhelming.

The Long Road to Launch

Concord hit the market this week, and according to SteamDB, it managed a peak concurrent player count of just 697. While this number may seem modest, the real story lies in the development timeline. Reportedly, Concord began its journey around 2016, the same year Overwatch was released by Blizzard. Given this long development period, the game’s arrival feels notably tardy, especially in a genre known for rapid innovation and evolution.

The High Cost of Waiting

The extended development cycle for Concord reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry where projects often take close to a decade to complete. This extended timeline can have significant financial and creative repercussions. The longer a game spends in development, the more likely it is that its original ideas will become outdated. Additionally, the substantial investment in time and resources often results in higher costs for consumers, as evidenced by Concord’s $40 price tag compared to many free-to-play competitors.

A Familiar Face in a Crowded Field

One of the key issues facing Concord is its lack of innovation. In a space where games like Apex Legends and Valve’s Deadlock have made significant splashes by introducing new mechanics or fresh concepts, Concord appears to offer little that feels groundbreaking. Although the game boasts polished graphics, motion-captured animations, and a lore-rich narrative—elements that can be appreciated—the core gameplay lacks the novelty required to stand out.

For example, Apex Legends managed to make an impact by combining hero loadouts with a battle royale format, while Deadlock has generated excitement with its MOBA-style mechanics. By contrast, Concord’s offerings feel familiar and uninspired, perhaps a result of its prolonged development and missed opportunities to capture current trends.

The Risks of Delayed Development

The lengthy development cycle for Concord raises the question of whether the time invested was worth the outcome. With technological advancements setting increasingly high expectations, studios face a challenging dilemma: how to meet or exceed the bar set by prior games without falling victim to the pitfalls of extended development. This problem is particularly acute for live-service games, where success often hinges on capturing and maintaining player interest amidst rapidly changing trends.

A Broader Industry Trend

Concord is not an isolated case. Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also experienced a prolonged development period of nine years, only to launch with similar issues of limited content and lack of innovation. The game’s struggles highlight a recurring problem in the industry: spending years in development can lead to outdated ideas and missed opportunities.

Similarly, Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Shadows faces the challenge of competing with Ghost of Tsushima, which was released four years ago and already provided a compelling open-world samurai experience. The extended development time for Shadows might affect its reception, given that the market has already been addressed by another title.

Potential Solutions

The gaming industry lacks easy solutions to the problem of overlong development cycles. One proposed approach is the development of shorter, more focused games. Titles like Uncharted: Lost Legacy have demonstrated that fans appreciate high-quality, shorter experiences at a lower price point. However, this approach might not be feasible for all AAA franchises, where players expect extensive content and are willing to wait years for a new release.

For live-service games like Concord and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the key to success may lie in offering something truly unique or captivating. Games that introduce innovative gameplay mechanics or tap into emerging trends are more likely to succeed, even if their development takes several years. Quick adaptation to market shifts and player preferences can make a significant difference.

Looking Ahead

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, developers must navigate the delicate balance between innovation and timely delivery. The case of Concord underscores the importance of adapting to current trends and avoiding the pitfalls of overly extended development cycles. For studios, the challenge remains: how to deliver a game that not only meets high standards but also resonates with players in a rapidly changing landscape.

Ultimately, the success of a game like Concord will depend on its ability to offer something new and engaging, even if it arrives later than anticipated. For now, gamers and developers alike will be watching closely to see how this and other high-profile releases fare in an ever-competitive market.

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