Concord: A Long-Awaited Hero Shooter with a New Approach Launches Tomorrow
After nearly eight years in development, Firewalk Studios finally released their hero shooter, Concord. The game’s journey has been long, with lead character designer Jon Weisnewski having spent almost five years on the project. Wisniewski recently shared his excitement on social media, highlighting the significance of the launch day for the team and himself, emphasizing how rare such moments are in game development.
Concord takes a unique approach to the hero shooter genre by offering a one-time purchase model instead of the more common battle pass system. Players will pay $40 / £35 upfront, which grants them access to all in-game content, including skins and other cosmetic items, at no additional cost. This move contrasts the free-to-play models that dominate the market, banking on the trust and appeal of a complete package from the start.
Weisnewski expressed his pride in the game, pointing out that the collaborative effort and trust within the team have imbued Concord with “humanity and depth.” He hopes that players will give the game a chance, as the team is prepared to support it for years.
Early impressions from the closed beta have been promising, with PC Gamer staff writer Morgan Park noting the impressive feel of the game’s weapons and the unique abilities of its heroes. However, despite these positives, the game’s reception among the wider PC community has been mixed. Some players have expressed disinterest, and others have already written off Concord as a flop, citing marketing missteps as a key reason for the negative pre-release sentiment.
Competition in the hero shooter space is fierce, and some players have already shifted their focus to other games, like Marvel Rivals, which has garnered attention despite mixed reviews. Nevertheless, Concord has the potential to carve out a niche, especially on consoles where the market may be less saturated.
Concord officially releases tomorrow, featuring six modes, 12 maps, and 16 characters, with plans for expansion as the first season kicks off in October. Whether it can overcome the initial skepticism and find its audience remains to be seen, but for now, Firewalk Studios and its team are ready to embark on this new chapter.
