Sonys action game “Concord” seems to have had a tough beginning as it reportedly sold only around 25k copies so far since its release according to industry experts estimations shared by IGN and analyst Simon Carless who indicates that about 10k units were sold via Steam and 15k through PlayStation consoles. Moreover the player count for the game has been notably low with a peak of 151 players in the last full day, on Steam.
According to experts interviewed by IGN there are reasons behind Concords lackluster debut such as ineffective marketing strategies, a steep price tag and a lack of uniqueness in a market thats already filled with similar offerings. Rhys Elliott from Midia Research pointed out that although some gamers may be open, to testing out a game at no cost the $40 price point poses a major hurdle especially in todays economic conditions.
A Case for Free-to-Play or PlayStation Plus Inclusion
Analysts suggest that Concord could have performed better if it was released as a to play game or offered through the PlayStation Plus subscription service from the start. Elliott highlighted how network effects play a role, in cultivating a vibrant player community by mentioning that a game becomes more attractive as more players join in and participate actively.
Although there are downsides to Concords state of affairs there are still some optimistic individuals looking ahead to what the future might hold for the game. Eurogamers rating of three out of five stars pointed out the games imperfections while also emphasizing its aspects hinting that given the right circumstances Concord could potentially see improvements, in the future. Yet with initial sales figures and lackluster player engagement the question remains whether Sony and the games developers will be able to steer Concord in a more positive direction.
