Deadlock Dominates Launch Weekend while Concord Struggles to Gain Traction
Gretta Ivas
27 Aug 2024
his weekend highlighted the contrasting fortunes of two new shooter titles, showcasing the potential and challenges of launching live service games. Valve's latest creation, Deadlock, has drawn in an impressive 64,000 players, while Sony's Concord barely managed to attract 700 on Steam.
The term "new shooters" might not fully capture the situation, as Valve's Deadlock has been undergoing discreet playtesting for several months. There were numerous leaks of images, videos, and character rosters leading up to the official announcement of this unique blend of MOBA and hero shooter. Thousands of players participated in pre-release tests, fueling anticipation for the game.
Even though access to Deadlock was limited to invites sent to playtesters, it still managed to attract more than 64,000 concurrent players yesterday, based on SteamDB data. Feedback on this genre fusion has been overwhelmingly positive, with players sharing exhilarating clips of the game’s fast-paced, chaotic matches online.
In stark contrast, PlayStation's FPS Concord faced significant challenges following its launch on PS5 and PC earlier in the week. While its performance on consoles remains unclear, estimates from SteamDB indicate that it struggled to surpass 700 concurrent players on PC during its initial weekend. This number is less than the dismal launches of games such as Redfall, Gollum, and Suicide Squad, even though the title received generally favorable reviews from those who did engage with it.
Sony has previously demonstrated the ability to successfully launch live service games, evidenced by the success of Helldivers 2 earlier this year. However, if players are praising Concord, it raises questions about why the game is experiencing such a rocky start.
One developer revealed that Concord had been in development for eight years, which means it was likely conceived soon after the release of the first Overwatch in an attempt to capitalize on the temporary hero shooter phenomenon. While Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant remain popular, the market for new hero shooters has all but collapsed. Marvel Rivals seems to be the only title garnering attention, largely due to its star-studded cast, further complicating Concord's position, especially with its $45 price tag compared to its free-to-play competitors.
This situation has positioned PlayStation at a crucial junction, facing the significant peaks and valleys that the genre presents right at the onset of its strategy for live service games.