Key Highlights:
- Concord, a new hero shooter, launches on 23rd August.
- Post-launch roadmap reveals plans for two seasons of content.
- Game priced at £35 with no battle pass, free content updates.
PlayStation is set to enter the competitive hero shooter market with Concord, a new title from Firewalk Studios launching on August 23rd.
As the release date approaches, Sony has unveiled an ambitious post-launch roadmap, detailing plans for at least two seasons of new content.
Concord, priced at £35 or your currency equivalent, aims to carve out its own niche in the crowded hero shooter genre.
The game’s initial offering includes six modes, 12 maps, and 16 playable characters, known as Freegunners.
This base content will be expanded upon in the coming months through seasonal updates, all provided at no additional cost to players who purchase the game.
The first major update, dubbed “Season 1: The Tempest”, is scheduled for October 2024.
This update will introduce a new Freegunner to the roster, along with variants for existing characters. Players can also look forward to exploring a fresh map and unlocking additional cosmetic items and rewards.
To keep players engaged with the game’s narrative, Firewalk Studios plans to release weekly cinematic vignettes that further the story.
January 2025 will see the arrival of Season 2, bringing another new Freegunner, map, and set of cosmetics.
This update will also introduce a new game mode, adding variety to Concord’s gameplay. While details about Season 3, planned for April 2025, remain under wraps, the consistent pattern of updates suggests players can expect similar additions.
Concord Post-Launch Roadmap
| Season | Content | Map | Game Mode | Cosmetics/Rewards | QOL Changes | Weekly Vignettes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (October 2024) | New Freegunner character and variants | New map | Additional cosmetics and rewards | Quality-of-life changes | Fresh set of weekly vignettes | In-game cosmetics store |
| Season 2 (January 2025) | New Freegunner character and variants | New map | New game mode | Additional cosmetics and rewards | Quality-of-life changes | Fresh set of weekly vignettes |
| Season 3 (April 2025) | TBA (To be announced) |
One notable aspect of Concord’s approach is its monetisation strategy. Unlike many of its competitors in the hero shooter space, such as Overwatch and Valorant, Concord is not free-to-play.
Instead, players pay an upfront cost for the game and receive all future content updates for free.
The only additional purchases available will be cosmetic items from an in-game store, which Firewalk Studios assures will have no impact on gameplay.
Importantly, Concord will not feature a battle pass system, setting it apart from many modern live-service games.
Can Concord Stand Out in a Crowded Market?
Despite these promising plans, Concord faces significant challenges. Recent beta weekends have seen lukewarm reception, particularly on PC, where player numbers have been lower than expected.
The title has also faced criticism for its perceived similarities to other hero shooters and its stylistic resemblance to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Concord’s development journey began in 2021 as a collaboration between PlayStation and Firewalk Studios.
Two years later, PlayStation acquired Firewalk outright, solidifying the game’s position as a PlayStation console and PC exclusive.
The game was officially unveiled at the 2023 PlayStation Showcase with a CGI cinematic, followed by a gameplay reveal at the May 2024 State of Play.
Firewalk Studios, based in Bellevue, Washington, brings considerable expertise to the project. The team includes industry veterans from Activision and Bungie, suggesting a wealth of experience in creating engaging multiplayer experiences.
However, as Concord is the studio’s debut title, it remains to be seen how well they can execute their vision and compete in the established hero shooter market.
Early Access Start Times
For eager players, early access to Concord will be available from 6pm UK time on 20th August for those who purchase the digital deluxe edition. The standard release follows on 23rd August at the same time.
As Concord prepares to launch, questions remain about its ability to stand out in a crowded market.
While its monetisation strategy and commitment to free content updates may appeal to players tired of battle passes and microtransactions, the game will need to prove its uniqueness and quality to build a dedicated player base.
The success could have significant implications for PlayStation’s live-service game strategy.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, with many publishers and developers focusing on long-term engagement through live-service titles, Concord represents an important test case for PlayStation’s approach to this model.
