As a seasoned gamer and industry enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless games, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when confronted with the story of Concord. The game’s swift demise is a painful reminder of the perils that lie in wait for developers who fail to understand their audience or misjudge market trends.
The swift removal of Concord from retail stores within just 11 days after its debut and the subsequent offering of refunds has solidified it as one of the most significant video game flops in history, potentially costing Sony between $100 and $200 million. This decision was evident in the scant number of players on Steam and projected sales of approximately 25,000 units, with a small fraction actually engaging with the game. Concord will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion for years to come as an example of industry shortcomings and missteps, especially considering the current challenges faced by many Western AAA titles in finding an audience.
How did we wind up playing it? Turns out, Concord was a misjudgment in the market, pricing a game that should have been free-to-play for money amidst the saturated hero shooter genre. Unfortunately, the character designs were grotesque, and the gameplay showed little creativity to set it apart. The conversation online surrounding the game grew heated as its release approached, but in the end, Concord attracted fewer players than many other games with similar controversies that ultimately prospered.
Many experts and online commentators foresaw the demise of Concord long before it happened. Its poor performance and swift end are a source of embarrassment, which is why Secret Level might want to cancel their upcoming Concord episode.
Secret Level Should Remove the Concord Episode
The group that brought us the acclaimed series “Love, Death + Robots” is now diving into some of gaming’s most cherished (and lesser-known) franchises, causing quite a stir in anticipation for the premiere of “Secret Level” on Amazon Prime Video. This is exciting news for vintage gamers who will get to revisit classics like Mega-Man and Pacman from their arcade days and early NES/SNES era. Meanwhile, contemporary gamers are eagerly waiting for adaptations of popular titles such as the sleek action game Sifu and the endearing indie sensation Spelunky.
Secret Level presents itself as a delight for gamers who cherish the medium, so the episode featuring Concord stands out among other games that have earned their credibility. However, including Concord in the series might tarnish its reputation slightly, even if it’s just a minor concern for some. This inclusion serves to highlight the cold, corporate aspect behind the show’s creation. Placing Concord alongside established franchises could feel rather awkward, and watching a commercial for a game that appears dead at this point is not an appealing prospect for viewers.
In the Concord installment, viewers might find themselves reflecting on challenges currently faced in the gaming world. This is because numerous developers assume triumph based solely on the production of an “AAA” game, but recent setbacks such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Redfall, and Skull and Bones (Star Wars Outlaws is rumored to be underperforming according to Forbes) suggest that the industry is grappling with more than just nostalgic escapism, potentially leaving viewers contemplating the current struggles instead.
The downside behind the Concord episode in Secret Level, much in the same way as the game, is there are talented people behind the scenes whose work will be seen in a negative light because of the embarrassing failure of the game. Still, to keep its integrity, much like Sony pulling the game and offering refunds, the Concord episode of Secret Level should be pulled as well. Whether the Concord episode is included or not, fans can check out Secret Level when it releases on Prime Video on December 10, 2024.
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2024-09-07 05:01